in this part had been abandoned long ago, all the salt there was left being in the shape of large pillars, that supported the roof. It sparkled dully in the candle light.
"Now let me see if I remember the turnings," murmured Mr. Petrofsky. "He said to keep on for half an hour, and we would come out in a little woods not far from where our airship was anchored."
Twisting and turning, here and there in the semi-darkness, stumbling, and sometimes falling over the uneven floor, the little party went on.
"Did you say half an hour?" asked Tom, after a while.
"Yes." replied the Russian.
"We've been longer than that," announced the young inventor, after a look at his watch. "It's over an hour."
"Bless my timetable!" cried Mr. Damon.
"Are you sure?" asked Mr. Petrofsky.
"Yes," answered Tom in a low voice.
The Russian looked about him, flashing the candle on several turnings and tunnels. Suddenly Ned uttered a cry.
"Why, we passed this place a little while before!" he said. "I remember this pillar that looks like two men wrestling!"
