Копи царя Соломона

           Wedarednotfollowthebanksofthesubterraneanriverforfearlestweshouldfallintoitagaininthedarkness. SoafterGoodhadrestedawhile,andwehaddrunkourfillofthewater,whichwassweetandfresh,andwashedourfaces,thatneededitsadly,aswellaswecould,westartedfromthebanksofthisAfricanStyx,andbegantoretraceourstepsalongthetunnel, Gooddrippingunpleasantlyinfrontofus. Atlengthwecametoanothergalleryleadingtoourright. 

           "Wemayaswelltakeit,"saidSirHenrywearily;"allroadsarealikehere;wecanonlygoontillwedrop." 

           Slowly,foralong,longwhile,westumbled,utterlyexhausted,alongthisnewtunnel,SirHenrynowleadingtheway. AgainIthoughtofabandoningthatbasket,butdidnot. 

           Suddenlyhestopped,andwebumpedupagainsthim. 

           "Look!"hewhispered,"ismybraingoing,oristhatlight?" 

           Westaredwithalloureyes,andthere,yes,there,faraheadofus,wasafaint,glimmeringspot,nolargerthanacottagewindowpane. ItwassofaintthatIdoubtifanyeyes,exceptthosewhich,likeours,hadfordaysseennothingbutblackness,couldhaveperceiveditatall. 

           Withagaspofhopewepushedon. Infiveminutestherewasnolongeranydoubt;itwasapatchoffaintlight. Aminutemoreandabreathofrealliveairwasfanningus. Onwestruggled. Allatoncethetunnelnarrowed.SirHenrywentonhisknees. Smalleryetitgrew,tillitwasonlythesizeofalargefox’searth—itwasearthnow,mindyou; therockhadceased.