UNDER THE EARTH. 175 
" If you don't go, Dick, I shall. I believe you're 
afraid ! " 
It was Mrs. Button who spoke, with a nervous laugh, 
that betrayed her own state of mind. 
The lieutenant prepared to descend. He felt they 
would all regret the discovery they were to make. He 
knew they would make it, nevertheless, before leaving the 
ruins of ill-fated Selkirk. 
" If I must — ! " he said, with a resigned air. 
Near the broken stone lay some fragments of wood. 
These, it appeared, were all that was left of a step-ladder 
that had once formed a means of entrance to and egress 
from the dungeon. 
" Hold the lantern, Flossie," said he, as he seized the 
framework of the pit firmly, and let himself down. 
The* dungeon, or cellar, was about eight feet deep. He 
dropped the last two feet. 
" Wait," called Floss, peering down into the darkness ; 
I must come, too! " 
Richard groaned in his sleeve, but obediently reached 
up and lifted the girl down, lantern and all. It was ex- 
ceedingly damp in the pit, and the close air gave them a 
choking sensation. 
For Heaven's sake, my girl, let's hurry ! " said the 
officer, coughing violently ; "I want to get out of this." 
Let me have the lantern," commanded his niece. 
" There ! I'm going ahead the rest of the way." 
She accordingly advanced cautiously to the opening in 
