ginal
inhabitants of the island," said Lieutenant Belt. "Never saw anything
so natural in my life."

Expressions of delighted surprise escaped from the young ladies, and
even Mrs Twigg was very glad that she had come.

"But we have only seen the commencement of this magic cavern; it has
more wonders to reveal to us," remarked her husband, desiring the black
guide to lead on. He accordingly proceeded through one of the widest
passages in front of them, holding his torch high above his head to show
its height, which appeared to be from twelve to fifteen feet. Each of
the young men also carried a torch, which illumined the otherwise total
darkness of the cavern, bringing out the numberless objects hanging from
the roof or appearing on either side--canopies studded with bright gems,
festoons of sparkling icicles, rostrums and thrones, busts of warriors
and poets. Here were skulls grinning from the wall; columns of every
order of architecture; fonts and basins, some holding water; and a
thousand other representations of works of art. Here and there other
passages struck off to the right or left, adorned in the same curious
fashion. Most of the arches and columns appeared to consist of a
greyish marble, and were wild and curious in the extreme. Some of the
pillars were perfect, sustaining apparently the massive superstructure;
others were only half formed; and many were but just commenced by the
dripping of water from above. Several of the apartments were cellular;
others spacious and airy, having eyelet holes through the roof, which
allowed the escape of noxious vapours, and assisted greatly to ventilate
the cavern. The ground beneath their feet was of a soft nature, deep
and yielding, and had a peculiar smell. As they advanced, thousands of
bats flew out from among the crevices of the rock, disturbed by the
light of the torches and the voices of the visitors, which echoed
through the passages and vaulted roof. They had not gone far when the
guide stopped short, and an exclamation of alarm escaped him.

"What is dem? Did you see dem, massa?" he asked of Archie, who was by
his side. The rest of the party, who were close at his heels, saw
numerous dark forms flitting by at the further end of a passage directly
in front of them, while unearthly sounding voices reached their ears.

"Those must be shadows cast by the light of our torches," observed the
major; "the sounds are merely echoes."

"No, no, massa, dey