"This is as good as a house," said Tom. "See how dry the flooring
is. That proves that it is waterproof."
From the large chamber there were several passageways, all leading
toward the bay.
"Which shall we investigate first?" asked Sam.
"Let us start at the right."
"All right, Tom; the right ought to be right," answered Sam lightly.
On they went once more, the flooring now sloping before them. Here
there was considerable moisture, and they had to walk with care for
fear of slipping down.
Suddenly a number of bats flew out of a hole nearby, dashing against
the torches and against the boys themselves. The rush was so unexpected
that each youth dropped his light and put up his hands to protect
himself.
"Get out! Let me alone!" spluttered Sam.
"Whoop!" roared Tom. "Confound the bats anyway! Get along and let us
alone!"
Lying on the flooring the torches soon went out, and in their efforts
to protect themselves from the bats the boys rushed blindly down the
passageway. Then of a sudden both slipped on the wet rocks, slid a
distance of several yards, and went down and down, landing into a
well-like opening with a loud splash!
CHAPTER XXVI
THE CAVE ON THE ISLAND
"Tom!"
"Sam!"
"Are you safe?"
"Yes, but I wasn't looking for such a cold bath as this."
"I guess we must have fallen into a regular well of spring water."
"Never mind what we are in. The question is, how are we to get out?"
"Can you touch the top of the opening?"
"No.
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