"But it were better to follow this passage and see if we may not overtake those who have been here.
"Bide here, paladin and priest, and keep our way back clear with my comrade yonder, and let us go quickly.

If they slay us--maybe that is no loss, but at least we have done what we should." Without another word Sighard leaped into that awesome pit, and Witred followed him.

Then went our three thanes, and Selred and I stood alone in the room.

I handed the torch down to the last man, and so saw that from the place where the chair was set a low stone-arched passage led westward into darkness.

It was some work of the old Romans, no doubt, for no Saxon ever made such stonework--strong and heavy as rock itself.
The light flashed from somewhat on the wall also, as it seemed, drawing my eyes to it.
"Yonder is a spear set," I said to the thane, as he took the light from me; "hand it to me." He took it from where it rested against the wall and gave it me, turning at once to follow our comrades.