The other Cubs echoed his demand. Mr. Hatfield and Mr. Holloway had, of course, antic.i.p.ated the request and were prepared for it.

The night before they had discussed the matter and had decided to undertake the exploration. A long light rope had been obtained, as well as an ample supply of powerful flashlights and extra batteries.

"Okay," Mr. Hatfield consented to the request. "We'll explore the cave, if it can be done safely. Let's go."

"How about leaving someone to watch our camp," Brad reminded the group.

"It seems that something disappears every time we turn our backs."

The Cubs stood watching Mr. Hatfield rather anxiously. No one wanted to be a.s.signed to remain behind.

"Oh, except for a few tools, we have nothing here today of great value,"

Mr. Hatfield said. "We'll take a chance."

The Cubs proceeded to the site of the cave, following Mr. Hatfield, Brad and Dan along the sh.o.r.e. Tangles of brush and willows frequently caused the group to detour away from the river. So when finally they located the mouth of the cavern again, it was much later than the Cub leader had expected.

"There's no time to waste," he told the Cubs. "We can't afford to be caught here after dark. Now everyone must obey orders. I know you're all eager to see the inside of the cave, but it may be unsafe. Therefore, I'll go in ahead."

"Not alone!" Brad protested quickly.

"Mr. Holloway will remain at the entranceway," Mr. Hatfield resumed.

"I'll take two Cubs with me."

"Me!" interposed Mack.

"No, let me go!" cried Chips.

"The stream is swift and it may be deep," Mr. Hatfield went on, paying no attention to the demands. "We'll have to inch our way very cautiously.

Naturally, the only Cubs I can take must be good swimmers."

"Brad and Dan," Red said instantly. "They're the best."

Mr. Hatfield was well pleased that the Cubs themselves had elected the two boys, for he had considered them the most dependable. Dan in particular, swam like a fish, and could be depended upon if an aquatic emergency arose.

"Arm yourselves with long, stout sticks," he instructed. "They'll be useful in feeling our way. No telling either, what we may run into."

The Cubs obtained the sticks from the beach, and they presented themselves again at the yawning mouth of the cavern.

A narrow stream of fast-moving water flowed silently into the dark tunnel of rock. Gazing into its mysterious depths, the other Cubs were not too reluctant to have Dan and Brad do the initial exploring.

Mr. Hatfield tied a long length of rope about his waist, and gave shorter ones to Brad and Dan, who were to follow him.

"No telling how far this cave goes," he commented. "If our rope doesn't hold out, we may have to come back and try it again some other day."

The Cub leader gave careful instructions. Brad and Dan were to follow him into the cave. Two jerks of a rope in quick succession would signal the waiting Cubs that they were to pull in.

"We'll not give the signal unless we're in trouble," Mr. Hatfield said.

Mr. Holloway manned the rope attached to the Cub leader's waist. Chips and Midge grabbed Dan's rope, while the other Cubs took the one Brad had tied about his middle.

"Be careful not to do any pulling unless you catch a signal or are sure we're in trouble," Mr. Hatfield admonished. "I'm not looking for any mishaps, but it's always wise to be prepared."

"Let's go!" urged Brad, eager to be at the job.

A silence fell upon the group as the three stood for a moment gazing into the dark jaws of the cave. The shadow of a tree shrouded the entranceway, and the moving branches made an eerie pattern upon the limestone.

"All set?" Mr. Hatfield asked.

Brad and Dan nodded. Both suddenly seemed to have lost their voices.

"Walk carefully and watch your footing," Mr. Hatfield instructed. "Don't let your rope get tangled."

He stepped from the ledge into the flowing stream. The water came well above his knees, and somewhat higher on Brad and Dan.

Finding the floor of the cavern smooth, the Cub leader moved along, slowly at first and then a little faster. Brad followed a few paces behind with Dan bringing up the rear.

Damp, dripping walls veered to a high rough roof only a few inches above their heads. Now and then Mr. Hatfield had to stoop to proceed. At one point he thought he could not go on. However, after he had squeezed through the "low bridge," the pa.s.sageway became higher.

Pausing to rest a moment, the three gazed back. The opening of the cave appeared as a circle of light.

"Everything's okay!" Mr. Hatfield shouted to rea.s.sure Mr. Holloway and the Cubs who waited anxiously at the cave's mouth. "We can't see the end yet."

His voice echoed weirdly in the cavernous depths.

Losing his balance, Dan grasped a jagged projection of rock for support.

The walls at this point were slimy and covered with cl.u.s.ters of lichens.

Farther on, the explorers pa.s.sed an oozing icicle-like stalagmite which dangled from the roof.

"Need any ornaments for your Christmas tree?" Dan joked.

Brad's line had become twisted. Without answering Dan, he halted to try to straighten it.

Unaware that the two boys had stopped, Mr. Hatfield moved on some distance ahead. Suddenly they heard him shout:

"I think we're coming to the end of the tunnel! Or at least to a larger chamber. I'm out of the water."

Brad hastily adjusted his rope and the two Cubs splashed on. Mr. Hatfield was waiting for them on a narrow ledge to the right of the stream.

Before the amazed eyes of the two boys spread a large chamber, nearly circular in shape. Occupying a large portion of the cathedral-like room was a round pool, which in earlier years obviously had been ground out of the rocks by whirling waters.

The underground river sought an exit at the extreme end of the chamber, beyond view of the Cubs.

A rocky ledge extended on three sides around the chamber. The shelf was barely two feet wide where Mr. Hatfield stood. Farther on, Dan and Brad could see that it widened to a sizeable floor.

"Be careful," Mr. Hatfield warned as the Cubs came on. "There's a sharp drop-off here at the entrance into the chamber. I couldn't probe it with my stick. The pool must be over a man's head."

"Is this the end of it?" Brad asked, pausing.

"It's as far as we're going today. Maybe it's as far as we'll ever go.