Page:The Campaign of the Jungle.djvu/260

232 "But how are you going? There's a guard around the foot of the hill, and they will shoot you on sight."

"I'm not going to try the foot of the hill—at least, not this side of it."

"Well, you can't get to the other, for that cliff over this cave is in the way."

"I'm going to explore the caves back of this. They must lead to somewhere."

The old sailor shook his head. "More'n likely they lead to the bowels of the earth. You'll fall into some pitfall, and that will be the end of you."

"I'll light a torch as soon as I am out of sight of this place, and I'll be very careful where I step."

"This cave may be as big as the Mammoth Cave of Kentucky. You'll get lost in one of the chambers and never find your way out."

"I'll have to risk that. But I'm bound to try it—if they give me the chance."

"You're foolish. Why, confound it, I've half of a mind to report the scheme."

"Oh, Leroy, surely you won't do that."

"I mean just to save you from yourself, Larry."

"I don't intend to remain a prisoner until I am