"Yes, I suppose so, but I would like to find them out now. However, you
have the right of it, and it is just as well to be cautious."

"Besides, I have only a few more matches left, and we must get back to
where we started. If you and I were alone----"

"Yes, quite right," and Dick came out, as his matches were extinguished,
and they started back.

A match or two gave them all the light they wanted till they began to
ascend, the way up being more difficult than coming down, and both older
boys being obliged to assist the younger one.

However, they reached the top at last, the light seeming to be almost
dazzling after they had been used to the darkness for even the short time
they were down in the strange place.

"I never knew the sun to be so bright," said Jesse W. "It's like what men
say coming up out of a deep well is."

"We'll go there again," said Percival. "I want to know more about the
place. Better not say anything to the other fellows. We'll have them
swarming over the place if we do, and then there is more or less danger in
going down there."

"I believe you want to keep the discovery all to yourself in case we did
find treasure there," said Jack. "Probably there is nothing more than a
lot of spoiled beef and some old clothes."