He was not long in finding the stone, though it was so artfully
concealed by the brushwood that it would have escaped any
uninstructed eye, and removing it, the narrow entrance to the cave was
revealed.
Committing himself to the protection of Heaven, Wyat entered, and
having taken the precaution of drawing the stone after him, which was
easily accomplished by a handle fixed to the inner side of it, he
commenced the descent. At first, he had to creep along, but the
passage gradually got higher, until at length, on reaching the level
ground, he was able to stand upright. There was no light to guide him,
but by feeling against the sides of the passage, he found that he was in
the long gallery he had formerly threaded. Uncertain which way to turn,
he determined to trust to chance for taking the right direction, and
drawing his sword, proceeded slowly to the right.
For some time he encountered no obstacle, neither could he detect the
slightest sound, but he perceived that the atmosphere grew damp, and
that the sides of the passage were covered with moisture. Thus
warned, he proceeded with great caution, and presently found, after
emerging into a more open space, and striking off on the left, that he
had arrived at the edge of the pool of water which he knew lay at the
end of the large cavern.
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