bject lying on the floor. A metallic ring from the object
he had kicked caught the lad's attention. Slipping his hand quickly
down the other's back in preparation for a movement to pick up the
object, Ned was surprised to come in contact with a belt. He was
startled to observe that the belt was filled with cartridges.

Without stopping to comment upon the circumstance, Ned stooped quickly
with hand outstretched. His fingers came in contact with the object
his foot had struck. He instantly recognized it to be an automatic
pistol. Restraining his impulse to cry out, the lad shifted the weapon
in his hand to a grip that would permit him to use it in case such a
move was necessary. He straightened up at once.

Scarcely had the boys taken another dozen steps before they heard the
voices of a number of men, all apparently endeavoring to talk at once
and using a language that was unintelligible to the lads.

Greater caution, if possible, was now used by all in their negotiating
the dark passage. A few steps farther on carried them past the place
where the voices had been heard. Ned breathed a sigh of relief as the
voices died away in the distance.

Presently the guide halted. He turned to a position where he could
face Ned. Still speaking in a whisper, he said:

"We are not out of danger yet, but I'll thank you to let me have that
automatic you picked up back there. It's mine!"

"Come on, now, hand it over," continued the other.

"Where did you get it?" whispered Ned. "Can you prove what you say?"

"Of course I can!" replied the other. "I'm a bird man, and that is
part of my equipment. You have no right to it!"

A louder detonation than any they had heard yet drowned Ned's reply.
The walls in the passage seemed shaking as if about to fall. From the
passage in their rear came shrieks and groans. An odor of sulphur came
blowing upon their backs. A crashing and grinding noise filled the
air. Jack and Harry closed in upon the others.

"Let's get out of here as quick as we can," urged Ned.

"We're at the end of the passage!" declared the guide. "That blast has
probably filled the corridor back of us with rubbish. Unless we can
dig a way out of it, we're buried alive!"

CHAPTER V

A GUARD IN DISGRACE

Jimmie's momentum carried him toward the camp kettle with such violence
that he was unable to check his speed. He could only swerve his course
enough to avoid actually falling into the open d