SEEKING DELIVERANCE.
As will doubtless be remembered, James Barr was the name of the
surveyor who had been sent by Mr. Bright to assist Colonel Mendix in
locating the Aurora mine.
Oliver’s surprise can therefore be imagined when he saw this same
individual’s name cut in the stick his friend had picked up to be used
as a firebrand.
“James Barr!” he cried. “It must be the same. How wonderful!”
“What are you talking about?” asked Gus.
Oliver told him.
“And he is reported to have lost his life in a flooding of the mine,”
he concluded.
“It is strange,” said Gus; “but still it counts for nothing. Barr might
have cut his name on that stick in a moment of idleness.”
“Of course; but it shows that he was here. And if that is so it is
pretty good proof that this is the Aurora mine.”
“That is so. I did not think of that. I thought that was all settled
before.”
“There is nothing like being doubly sure. But come, let us see if we
cannot find some means of escape while the stick lasts. When that is
gone we will be in darkness, for I see no more wood about.”
Holding the stick up sideways, so that it would burn and light the way,
the two advanced on a tour of discovery.
It soon came to an end. On all sides were the same perpendicular rocks.
“Not much encouragement there,” remarked Oliver grimly. “But we must
find some way out. Here, hold the torch, while I see if I cannot scale
this side.”
Gus took the extended torch, and Oliver made a desperate leap forward.
He gained a hold, and arrived three-quarters of the way up. Then he
slipped, and rolled down to his friend’s feet.
“Not that time,” he cried; “but I think I can do it.”
Again he tried, and again the same result.
“This clumsy coat and the heavy boots bother me,” he declared. “I will
take them off.”
“How am I to get up, even if you do?” asked Gus dolefully.
“One thing at a time, Gus. Here, take the things. One, two, three!”
With a mighty spring Oliver made the jump. Half way up he paused. Was
he going to fail again? No; he clung fast, reached up overhead, and
drew himself up into the gloom.
“All right!” he called back. “Throw me the stick and then perhaps I can
help you up.”
Gus flung the firebrand as best he could. Oliver caught it and stuck it
in a crevice.
“Now make the jump up the rocks and catch my hand,” he called down, and
he leaned as far as possible over the edge.
Gus did so. Three times he failed. The fourth, Oliver caught his wrist,
and a moment later, puffing and blowing, both stood on the edge of the
pit, but on the side opposite to that where they had entered.
“Crickety! I don’t want to try any more such jumps!” panted Gus. “I’ll
be out of wind for a month.”
“And I trust we don’t get into any more such holes,” laughed Oliver.
“But the thing of it is, have we bettered ourselves by the movement?”
“That we can’t tell till we see where this passage leads to,” returned
the other, pointing to a narrow opening in the rocks. “If that is only
a blind we are as bad off as we ever were.”
“I think that if I were down here alone I would go mad,” said Oliver.
“I am sure I would. Heou! let us get out as soon as we can!”
Taking up the light, they proceeded down the narrow passage. It was a
low cavern, so low that in many spots even Gus, the shorter of the two,
was compelled to stoop.
“Hold on,” cried Oliver who was in advance; “here is a stream of water.
We don’t want to be drowned!”
“Indeed not! Is it deep?”
Oliver made an examination with his hands.
“Quite deep. But here is a spot that is not very broad. I can jump it
easily, and I guess you can do the same.”
Holding out the firebrand, he made the leap, and landed safely upon the
other side.
“Now you,” he called to Gus; and in a moment they were together again.
It was not long before they entered what appeared to be a large
chamber. Here, from some place far above, streamed in a faint light.
“Hurrah!” cried Oliver. “There is open daylight at last! If it was not
for the fact that the sun has set it would be lighter still. Come, let
us go on.”
But they could not do so. On the opposite side of the chamber, if such
it might be called, could be seen nothing but the solid rocks.
“Blocked!” cried Gus in dismay, and Oliver echoed the cry. “What shall
we do now? Go back?”
“No, no! I think――” Oliver sprang aside and pointed to a corner. “Oh,
Gus, what is that?”
The stout youth looked towards the spot indicated, and turned pale. And
small wonder; for there, lying on its back, was the skeleton of a human
being.
Both of the boys approached it slowly. It was the first time they had
seen so ghastly an object, and it filled them with awe.
“Some poor miner that wandered in here and could not get out,” said
Gus. “See, nothing but his bones remain to tell the tale!”
“And if he wandered in here and could not find any way out, what are we
to do?” asked Oliver in almost a whisper, so horrible was the thought.
“Don’t――don’t say that!” cried Gus; “my nerves are already unstrung.
We must do what we can, and do it quickly too; for it will soon be
night and then morning, and if we don’t find anything to eat――” And he
finished with a groan.
Oliver put his hand to his brow. What should they do next? Which way
should they turn?