geography," said I dryly.
"But what then? They have merely chosen to live under the world
instead of on it; a rather wise decision, a cynic might say--not to
mention the small circumstance that they are prisoners.

"My dear Hal, never allow yourself to be surprised at anything; it is a
weakness. Here we are in total darkness, buried in the Andes,
surrounded by hairy, degenerate brutes that are probably allowing us to
eat in order that we may be in condition to be eaten, with no
possibility of ever again beholding the sunshine; and what is the
thought that rises to the surface of my mind? Merely this: that I most
earnestly desire and crave a Carbajal perfecto and a match."

"Paul, you say--eat--"

"Most probably they are cannibals. The Lord knows they must have some
sort of mild amusement in this fearful hole. Of course, the idea is
distasteful; before they cut us up they'll have to knock us down."

"That's a darned silly joke," said Harry with some heat.

"But it's sober truth, my boy. You know me; I never pose. There is
nothing particularly revolting in the thought of being eaten; the
disadvantage of it lies in the fact that one must die first. We all
want to live; Heaven knows why. And we stand a chance.

"We know now that there is food to be had here and sufficient air. It
is nearly certain that we won't get out, but that can come later. And
what an experience! I know a dozen anthropologists that would give
their degrees for it. I can feel myself getting enthusiastic about it."

"But what if they--they--"

"Say it. Eat us? We can fight. It will be strange if we can't outwit
these vermin. And now silence; I'm going to begin. Listen hard--hard!
The brutes are noiseless, but if they are near we can hear their
breathing."

"But, Paul--"

"No more talk. Listen!"

We lay silent for many minutes, scarcely breathing. Not the slightest
sound reached our ears through the profound darkness; utter, intense
silence. Finally I reached over and touched Harry on the shoulder, and
arose to my knees.

"Good enough! We're alone. We'll have to crawl for it. Keep close
behind me; we don't want to get separated. The first thing is to find
a sharp stone to cut through these thongs. Feel on the ground with
your hands as we go."

It was not easy to rise at all, and still harder to make any progress,
for our ankles were bound together most effectively; but we managed
somehow to drag ourselves along.