An-Tak gave a cry of terror. Bradley held the light far into the
opening before him and in its flickering rays saw the top of a
ladder descending into a black abyss below. How far down it
extended he could not guess; but that he should soon know
definitely he was positive.

"You have found it! You have found the way out!" screamed An-Tak.
"Oh, Luata! And now I am too weak to go. Take me with you!
Take me with you!"

"Shut up!" admonished Bradley. "You will have the whole flock of
birds around our heads in a minute, and neither of us will escape.
Be quiet, and I'll go ahead. If I find a way out, I'll come back
and help you, if you'll promise not to try to eat me up again."

"I promise," cried An-Tak. "Oh, Luata! How could you blame me?
I am half crazed of hunger and long confinement and the horror of
the lizards and the rats and the constant waiting for death."

"I know," said Bradley simply. "I'm sorry for you, old top.
Keep a stiff upper lip." And he slipped through the opening,
found the ladder with his feet, closed the panel behind him, and
started downward into the darkness.

Below him rose more and more distinctly the sound of running water.
The air felt damp and cool. He could see nothing of his
surroundings and felt nothing but the smooth, worn sides and
rungs of the ladder down which he felt his way cautiously lest a
broken rung or a misstep should hurl him downward.