Копи царя Соломона

           IrememberthatIlaiddownthebasketfullofdiamonds,wishingtoberidofitsweight,butonsecondthoughtstookitupagain. Onemightaswelldierichaspoor,Ireflected. Aswewentthesoundbecamemoreandmoreaudible,tillatlastitseemedquiteloudinthequiet. On,yeton;nowwecoulddistinctlymakeouttheunmistakableswirlofrushingwater. Andyethowcouldthereberunningwaterinthebowelsoftheearth? Nowwewerequitenearit,andGood,whowasleading,sworethathecouldsmellit. 

           "Gogently,Good,"saidSirHenry,"wemustbeclose." Splash!andacryfromGood. 

           Hehadfallenin. 

           "Good!Good!whereareyou?"weshouted,interrifieddistress. Toourintensereliefananswercamebackinachokyvoice. 

           "Allright;I’vegotholdofarock.Strikealighttoshowmewhereyouare." 

           HastilyIlitthelastremainingmatch. Itsfaintgleamdiscoveredtousadarkmassofwaterrunningatourfeet. Howwideitwaswecouldnotsee,butthere,somewayout,wasthedarkformofourcompanionhangingontoaprojectingrock. 

           "Standcleartocatchme,"sungoutGood."Imustswimforit." 

           Thenweheardasplash,andagreatstruggle. AnotherminuteandhehadgrabbedatandcaughtSirHenry’soutstretchedhand,andwehadpulledhimuphighanddryintothetunnel. 

           "Myword!"hesaid,betweenhisgasps,"thatwastouchandgo. IfIhadn’tmanagedtocatchthatrock,andknownhowtoswim,Ishouldhavebeendone. Itrunslikeamill-race,andIcouldfeelnobottom."