Through the Tunnel
THEY examined the door carefully, and at last found near the center of
it a small hole. Twinkle put the golden key into this and found that it
fitted exactly. But it took all of Chubbins's strength to turn the key
in the rusty lock. Yet finally it did turn, and they heard the noise of
bolts shooting back, so they both took hold of the ring, and pulling
hard together, managed to raise the iron door on its hinges.
All they saw was a dark tunnel, with stone steps leading down into the
mountain.
"No treasure here," said the little girl.
"P'raps it's farther in," replied Chubbins. "Shall we go down?"
"Won't it be dangerous?" she asked.
"Don't know," said Chubbins, honestly. "It's been years and years since
this door was opened. You can see for yourself. That rock must have
covered it up a long time."
"There must be _something_ inside," she declared, "or there wouldn't be
any door, or any steps."
"That's so," answered Chubbins. "I'll go down and see. You wait."
"No; I'll go too," said Twinkle. "I'd be just as scared waiting outside
as I would be in. And I 'in bigger than you are, Chub."
"You're taller, but you're only a month older, Twink; so don't you put
on airs. And I'm the strongest."
"We'll both go," she decided; "and then if we find the treasure we'll
divide."
"All right; come on!"
Forgetting their basket, which they left upon the rocks, they crept
through the little doorway and down the steps. There were only seven
steps in all, and then came a narrow but level tunnel that led straight
into the mountain-side. It was dark a few feet from the door, but the
children resolved to go on. Taking hold of hands, so as not to get
separated, and feeling the sides of the passage to guide them, they
walked a long way into the black tunnel.
Twinkle was just about to say they'd better go back, when the passage
suddenly turned, and far ahead of them shone a faint light. This
encouraged them, and they went on faster, hoping they would soon come to
the treasure.
"Keep it up, Twink," said the boy. "It's no use going home yet."
"We must be almost in the middle of Sugar-Loaf Mountain," she answered.
"Oh, no; it's an awful big mountain," said he. "But we've come quite a
way, haven't we?"
"I guess mama'd scold, if she knew where we are."
"Mamas," said Chubbins, "shouldn't know everything, 'cause they'd only
worry. And if we don't get hurt I can't see as there's any harm done."
"But we mustn't be naughty, Chub."
"The only thing that's naughty," he replied, "is doing what you're told
not to do. And no one told us not to go into the middle of Sugar-Loaf
Mountain."
Just then they came to another curve in their path, and saw a bright
light ahead. It looked to the children just like daylight; so they ran
along and soon passed through a low arch and came out into--
Well! the scene before them was so strange that it nearly took away
their breath, and they stood perfectly still and stared as hard as their
big eyes could possibly stare.