l6o THE ADVENTURES OF 



formed at the end of each. This gum, by its odour and colour, 

 has given to the tree which produces it the name of liquid amber. 

 At last, followed by my companions, I entered the cave ; I'En- 

 cuerado placed the lamp on the edge of the pit, and the bats 

 which had been disturbed the evening before again commenced 

 their whirling flight. 



Preceded by Sumichrast, I ventured down to the bottom of 

 the pit. A narrow passage led from it into a vast chamber, the 

 more distant parts of which we could not discern on account of 

 the darkness. Whilst my friend was exploring, I returned for 

 Lucien. The lamp, thanks to the Indian's skill, was safely let 

 down without extinguishing the light ; lastly I'Encuerado himself 

 made his appearance. Passing along the narrow passage, I soon 

 perceived Sumichrast, who looked like some fantastic apparition 

 as he shook his torch over his head, endeavouring to see through 

 the darkness which enveloped us. 



The lamp being set down at the entrance of the passage, each 

 of us took a lighted torch, and advanced at a slow pace. Sumi- 

 chrast and the Indian skirted the wall to the left, whilst I walked 

 along the wall to the right. Our smoky torches gave but an 

 imperfect light, and we could scarcely see beyond three yards 

 in front of us. A little farther on, the ground was strewn with 

 fallen stones ; before venturing on this dangerous ground, I cast 

 a glance towards my companions; they were not in sight. I 

 gave them a call — a formidable clamour resounded through the 

 chamber, and Lucien crept close to me. 



" It is the echo returning to our ears Sumichrast's answer," I 

 hastened to tell him. " They are in another chamber ; you call 

 them now ! " 



The boy, agitated, raised his voice. Immediately the dark 

 vaults seemed to repeat his words, and the sound increased 

 as it moved away as if a thousand persons, placed at intervals, 

 were repeating some watchword. A sonorous " Hiou ! hiou ! " 

 prevailed over the uproar, and the face of I'Encuerado appeared 

 on our right before the echo of the call had died away. 



" Come and see a beautiful church ! " cried the Indian. " A 

 church made of diamonds, Chanito ! " 



