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.
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