The young novice then thought of refreshing himself by a few hours' sleep, as he already felt its influence.

Only with supreme precaution Dick Sand lay on that bed of clay, at the bottom of the cone, near the narrow edifice.
By this means, if any accident happened outside, he would be the first to remark it.

The rising day would also awaken him, and he would be ready to begin the exploration of the plain.
Dick Sand lay down then, his head against the wall, his gun under his hand, and almost immediately he was asleep.
How long this drowsiness lasted he could not tell, when he was awakened by a lively sensation of coolness.
He rose and recognized, not without great anxiety, that the water was invading the ant hill, and even so rapidly, that in a few seconds it would reach the story of cells occupied by Tom and Hercules.
The latter, awakened by Dick Sand, were told about this new complication.
The lighted lantern soon showed the interior of the cone.
The water had stopped at a height of about five feet, and remained stationary.
"What is the matter, Dick ?" asked Mrs.Weldon.
"It is nothing," replied the young novice.

"The lower part of the cone has been inundated.

It is probably that during this storm a neighboring river has overflowed on this plain." "Good!" said Hercules; "that proves the river is there!" "Yes," replied Dick Sand, "and it will carry us to the coast.