The miners became brickmakers again, then the bricks were brought to the foot of Granite House.

Till then, Harding and his companions had only entered the cavern by the long passage.

This mode of communication obliged them first to climb Prospect Heights, making a detour by the river's bank, and then to descend two hundred feet through the passage, having to climb as far when they wished to return to the plateau.

This was a great loss of time, and was also very fatiguing.

Cyrus Harding, therefore, resolved to proceed without any further delay to the fabrication of a strong rope ladder, which, once raised, would render Granite House completely inaccessible.
This ladder was manufactured with extreme care, and its uprights, formed of the twisted fibers of a species of cane, had the strength of a thick cable.