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of his head when he saw the big stone turn in its
sockets. We carried in the tools and the bucket, and lighted two lanterns.
“‘Then we
went down the drift into the cave and soon reached a turn, where we were almost
blinded by a sudden flash of light. There followed a sound of water dashing
against rocks. The light was gone with the speed of lightning; which it was
like, though it was brighter than any lightning I had ever seen. How pale was
the light of our lanterns after that brilliant flash! As we went on down the
draft the flash was repeated every so often, each time followed by the roar of
waters.
“‘As we
went deeper into the cave a rushing wind swept about us when the flash came. At
each flash we could see the roof, on which were hundreds of hand prints. We could also see plainly the bones and veins
in our hands.
“‘A sudden
turn to the right brought us to the hidden well. It lay below the floor at
least six feet, steps having been cut to reach the water. The pool was about
twenty feet across. The flashes showed a few fish and a frog in the pool, the
light being so strong we could see every bone in their bodies.
“‘We put
on our dust glasses to protect our eyes. At each flash the water in the pool
rose, dashing from side to side, throwing a heavy spray over us, but never
overflowing. Then would rise from the drift a pitiful moan which put me in mind
of a person in agony. It gave us both the creeps. "Oh! Oh! Ohee! Ohee!
Mercee! Mercee!" (it seemed...) began the low, sad cry, getting louder and
louder and ending all of a sudden in a shriek as a rush of cool air
swept about our legs. "’”There
must be a volcanic vent near-by," said I. "It all puts me in mind of
geysers I've seen in Yellowstone Park."
“‘"Dame, old son, I'm afraid it's the bloomin' Tommy-Knockers! The
bloody bounders! I've heard them in