Lovely!" replied the lad.

"I should like to take a basketful.

I'll break a piece or two off." "Wait a bit," said the major; "there is a lovely piece here.

What's that ?" Mark listened, as he stood close to the major, where the cavern went right in like a narrow triangle with curved sides.
A low hissing noise saluted their ears, apparently coming from a great distance off.
"Snakes!" whispered Mark.
"Steam!" said the major.

"Why, Mark, this passage must lead right into the centre of the mountain.