So I set 'em off--that is, I lit the fuses and I started to
run. Well, I 'ad n't any more 'n started when bloeyy-y-y-y, right in
front of me, the whole world turned upside down, and I felt myself
knocked back into the chamber. And there was them fuses. All of 'em
burning. Well, I managed to pull out the one from the foot wall and
stamp it out, but I didn't 'ave time to get at the others. And the
only place where there was a chance for me was clear at the end of the
chamber. Already I was bleeding like a stuck hog where a whole 'arf
the mountain 'ad 'it me on the 'ead, and I did n't know much what I was
doing. I just wanted to get be'ind something--that's all I could think
of. So I shied for that fissure in the rocks and crawled back in
there, trying to squeeze as far along as I could. And 'ere 's the
funny part of it--I kept on going!"

"You what?"

"Kept on going. I 'd always thought it was just a place where the
'anging wall 'ad slipped, and that it stopped a few feet back. But it
don't--it goes on. I crawled along it as fast as I could--I was about
woozy, anyway--and by and by I 'eard the shots go off be'ind me. But
there was n't any use in going back--the tunnel was caved in. So I
kept on.

"I don't know 'ow long I went or where I went at. It was all dark--and
I was about knocked out. After while, I ran into a stream of water
that came out of the inside of the 'ill somewhere, and I took a drink.
It gave me a bit of strength. And then I kept on some more--until all
of a sudden, I slipped and fell, just when I was beginning to see
dyelight. And that's all I know. 'Ow long 'ave I been gone?"

"Long enough to make me gray-headed," Fairchild answered with a little
laugh. Then his brow furrowed. "You say you slipped and fell just as
you were beginning to see daylight?"

"Yes. It looked like it was reflected from below, somewyes."

Fairchild nodded.

"Is n't there quite a spring right by Crazy Laura's house?"

"Yes; it keeps going all year; there 's a current and it don't freeze
up. It comes out like it was a waterfall--and there 's a roaring noise
be'ind it."

"Then that's the explanation. You followed the fissure until it joined
the natural tunnel that the spring has made through the hills. And
when you reached the waterfall--well, you fell with it."

"But 'ow did I get 'ere?"

Briefly Fairchild told him, while Harry pawed at his still magnificent
mustache. Robert continued:

"B