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The First Signs of Distress

           Butstillwemarchedon,andIalonewasforgettingthelengthofthewaybylosingmyselfinthemidstofgeologicalcontemplations.Thetemperatureremainedwhatithadbeenduringourpassagethroughthelavaandschists.Onlymysenseofsmellwasforciblyaffectedbyanodourofprotocarburetofhydrogen.Iimmediatelyrecognisedinthisgallerythepresenceofaconsiderablequantityofthedangerousgascalledbyminersfiredamp,theexplosionofwhichhasoftenoccasionedsuchdreadfulcatastrophes.

           Happily,ourlightwasfromRuhmkorff’singeniousapparatus.Ifunfortunatelywehadexploredthisgallerywithtorches,aterribleexplosionwouldhaveputanendtotravellingandtravellersatonestroke.

           Thisexcursionthroughthecoalminelastedtillnight.Myunclescarcelycouldrestrainhisimpatienceatthehorizontalroad.Thedarkness,alwaysdeeptwentyyardsbeforeus,preventedusfromestimatingthelengthofthegallery;andIwasbeginningtothinkitmustbeendless,whensuddenlyatsixo’clockawallveryunexpectedlystoodbeforeus.Rightorleft,toporbottom,therewasnoroadfarther;wewereattheendofablindalley."Verywell,it’sallright!"criedmyuncle,"now,atanyrate,weshallknowwhatweareabout.WearenotinSaknussemm’sroad,andallwehavetodoistogoback.Letustakeanight’srest,andinthreedaysweshallgettotheforkintheroad.""Yes,"saidI,"ifwehaveanystrengthleft.""Whynot?""Becauseto-morrowweshallhavenowater.""Norcourageeither?"askedmyuncleseverely.Idaredmakenoanswer.

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