Site hosted by Angelfire.com: Build your free website today!

-126-

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