176 THE BED MOUNTAIN OF ALASKA. 
the wall, which seemed to indicate further opportunities 
for exploration. 
Her uncle humored her ambition for taking the lead, 
but placed himself almost directly at her side. 
On passing the doorway, which was so narrow that 
they could hardly squeeze through, they found themselves 
in a sort of gallery, about five feet high and two feet wide. 
Here they had to walk in single file, Florence preceding 
her companion. The noise of the storm overhead had 
now become only a faint, dull roar, like surf at a great 
distance. 
Dick knocked his head several times against projecting 
roots or knots in the rough planks that only partially 
lined the passage. 
Stooping, and moving very slowly, they crept along, 
following the gallery, which had several sharp turns, for 
fully two hundred feet. The air now became decidedly 
more foul, and the lieutenant earnestly begged the girl to 
go back and wait for him. But she was a Button, and 
was determined to see the adventure through to the end. 
The passage suddenly contracted still further, becoming 
so low that it was with difficulty they walked at all. 
They could not speak without violently interrupting 
themselves by spasmodic coughing. 
" Only a few steps more," gasped Floss. "Then, if we 
don't find anything, I'll turn back." 
Even the light seemed to grow dim, as they advanced. 
Suddenly the gallery widened. They saw that they 
