"Found 'em in the tin with the biscuits," said Toby.
He held the candle on high so that its little beam searched out the darkness in front and on both sides.
They were in a narrow passage-way. On each side was a wall of solid rock, not ten feet beyond the edge of the raft. How high the wall was they could not tell, for it was lost in the darkness overhead. They were slipping along a narrow alley-way of water. Toby held the candle higher, and everyone peered into the darkness ahead; but it was impossible to see more than a few yards.
"I wish it distinctly understood," said the Sly Old Codger, "that I am here under—"
"Never mind," said Aunt Amanda, "my orders as captain is, to say nothing and wait and see what will happen."
The raft turned a corner to the right, and slipped on silently in that direction for a long distance, probably for more than a mile. Then the raft turned again, this time to the left; and after about ten minutes longer Toby suddenly said, "S-sh! What's that?" They all listened, and heard afar off a sound as of rushing water, very faint, but unmistakable.
"Er—excuse me," said the Old Codger with the
Wooden Leg. "Do you think—ahem!—there is any—er—danger?"
"I don't like it," said Aunt Amanda. "I don't think it's safe in here."
"I think we are lower in the water," said Freddie.