Page:Randall Parrish--My Lady of the South.djvu/241

WE FIND THE PASSAGE of a boy. and his cheeks ﬂushed with excitement. his eyes peering into the black hole.

T is an aisy place to shoot from, sor." he volunteered. "av any wan was hidin' down below."

"You are right about that: give me the sling-strap from your carbine."

Unbuckled, it was long enough to extend half the length of the ladder, and I dangled the lantern down the well, leaning forward and peering anxiously at what the yellow glare revealed. I could see to the bottom, but the shadows there might have concealed a dozen men. Evidently the shaft did not go to the basement, and there was a black opening at the ladder's foot, which would likely prove the entrance to a tunnel. Any further delay was useless, and I drew up the lantern. handed the sling-strap back to the lad, and tested the ladder rungs with my weight. They were sufficiently solid, and I went down swiftly. half anticipating a shot from out the darkness beneath. dangling the lantern, the yellow flicker of flame merely accentuating the deep shadows. [ 227 ]