Chapter 18 Chapter Eighteen

Cyrus.Smith's plan succeeded, but he was still the same as before, not showing satisfaction, he stood motionless with his lips tightly shut and his eyes wide open.Herbert was almost mad with joy, Neb was dancing with joy, Pencroft nodded his big head, and said to himself: Well, our engineers really have a way! The nitroglycerin did exert a great power.The new outlet it had blasted was so large that it would release at least three times as much water as the old one.Soon after the explosion, the level of the lake would be three feet lower, maybe more. The inhabitants went to the grotto and got some pickaxes and iron-tipped javelins, and some fiber rope, flint, and steel; and returning to the plateau, Top followed them.

Along the way, the sailor couldn't help saying to the engineer: That oil you make is so good that it could blow up all our islands, don't you, Mr. Smith? Needless to say islands, even the mainland and the whole world are fine, the engineer replied, it's just a matter of quantity. So can you use nitroglycerin for ammo?asked the sailor. No, Pencroft; it explodes too easily.But it is not difficult to make some cotton powder, or even ordinary powder, for we have nitric acid, saltpeter, brimstone, and charcoal, and unfortunately we have no guns. Ah, Mr. Smith, replied the sailor, it can be done if you will

Pencroft had blotted the difficult word from Lincoln Island's dictionary. The original outlet of Grant Lake is now exposed.The inhabitants came to Prospect Heights and made their way there at once.There is no lake water flowing at this exit, and people can leave now.Surely they could look into the cave without difficulty. In a few minutes the inhabitants came to the southern end of the lake, and they saw at a glance that their object had been achieved. Sure enough, the hole they had searched for for a long time was exposed in the lake, and now the hole was on the water.After the water of the lake fell, it left a long and narrow water dividing line, so that they could approach the entrance of the cave.The opening was about twenty feet across, but barely two feet high.It looks like the mouth of the sewer next to the sidewalk, so it is not easy for residents to get in.But Neb and Pencroft took up their pickaxes, and soon brought the hole to a suitable height.

Then the engineer came forward, and he found that the slope of the ramp in the cave was no more than thirty to thirty-five degrees, at least around the entrance of the cave, so it was passable.If the slope is not steep, it is not difficult even to go all the way to the sea.It is probable that there are great cavities in the inner walls of the granite, which, if so, might be of great use. Why, Mr. Smith, what are we doing here?asked the sailor, anxious to get into the narrow passage, and, lo and behold, Top is already in! Very well, replied the engineer, but we must see the road.Neb, go and chop some dead sticks laden with resin.

Neb and Herbert ran to the lake.There were many pines and other green trees growing in this country, and they soon brought back some branches to make torches.Set them on fire with flint and steel, and CyrusSmith led everyone to venture into the dark corridor that was originally filled with lake water. Contrary to their expectations, the further the explorers walked, the larger the diameter of the corridor became. After walking for a while, they were able to stand up straight.The granite here has been washed by running water for many years, so it is wet and slippery, and there is a danger of falling when walking on it.So the residents adopted a common method when climbing mountains, connecting everyone with a rope.Fortunately, some granite rocks protrude outward, forming natural steps, so that you will not fall when you go down.Under the light of the torches, there are many drops of water glistening on the stone, and the explorers estimate that there may be countless stalactites hanging on the stone wall.The engineer examined the black granite rock carefully.There is no stratum to be seen on it, not even a seam.The stone is monolithic, and the stone pattern is very detailed.It is estimated that this corridor has existed since the day there was an island.It is not washed out gradually by running water.It was not Neptune who created this cave [Note: The god of the sea in Roman mythology. ] But Pluto [Note: Pluto in Roman mythology. ], there are still traces of lava on the stone wall, and long-term water erosion has not completely obliterated them.

The inhabitants descended slowly.This is the first time someone has come to this cave, and no one knows how deep it is.They ventured into the depths, and could not help feeling a nameless dread.None of them spoke, but they were constantly thinking, and thinking about more than one thing.The burrow, which leads to the sea, may be home to hydra and other giant cephalopods.Fortunately Top was walking ahead of the squad, and they could rely on his wit.In a pinch, it never fails to sound the alarm. They walked about a hundred feet along the winding road.Smith, who was walking in front, stopped, and his companions came up to him.The place where they stand is wide, and here is a cave of reasonable size.Water dripped down from the top, but it was clear that the water did not seep from the rocks.It's just a remnant of the torrent that has been rushing through the cave for many years.Although the air here is a bit humid, it is very fresh without any stale air.

Dear Cyrus, Keating.This place, said Spilett, was deep in the rocks, safe to hide in, but uninhabitable. Why can't people live?asked the sailor. Because it is too small, the light is dim. Can't we enlarge it a bit, goug it a little deeper, and make a few more holes for light and ventilation?Answered Pencroft that he now thought that nothing was impossible. Let us continue our search, Cyrus.Maybe a little further down, Smith says, nature will save us the effort. We're only a third of the way there.Herbert said. Nearly a third of the way, Smith said, we've only gone a hundred feet down the hole, and there's no way we're going any lower than a hundred feet.

Where did Top go?asked Neb, interrupting his master. They searched the neighborhood for a while, but Top was not there. It probably went forward.said Pencroft. Let's follow.Smith said. They went on down.The engineer paid special attention to every corner of the corridor, and despite the many twists and turns, he could tell the general direction without any difficulty.The cave leads to the sea. The residents had gone another fifty feet or so, when suddenly they heard a sound far below.They stopped and listened for a while.The corridor sent some voices like a microphone, which sounded very clearly.

It's Top calling!cried Herbert. That is it, said Pencroft, our valiant dog howled with fury! We have iron-headed javelins, Cyrus.Be on your guard, says Smith, and move on! It's getting weirder.Ji Ding.Spilett whispered in the sailor's ear, and the sailor nodded.Smith and his companions hurried to help their dog, whose barking became more distinct, and which seemed strangely angry.Did it violate the nest of some animal, and the two sides were fighting?Driven by curiosity, the explorers even ignored the dangers they might encounter.After a few minutes they descended another sixteen feet and found Top.

The passage is over.Here was a wide and tall stone cave, and Top ran to and fro, screaming angrily.Pencroft and Neb held torches in their hands, and illuminated every crevice.Meanwhile Smith, Gideon, Spilett, and Herbert had their javelins in readiness for any emergency that might arise.The large stone cave is empty and there is nothing.The inhabitants searched everywhere, and there was nothing there, not a single beast, still less a human being, but Top kept on barking.No matter whether it is stroked or scolded, it cannot be calmed down. The water of the lake must have flowed into the sea through some place here.said the engineer.

Of course, said Pencroft, everyone must take care not to fall into the hole. Go, Top, go!cried Smith. When Top was yelled by his master, he ran excitedly to the end of the cave, where he yelled even more vigorously. They followed, and with torches they saw a hole in the granite floor, which looked like a regular well.The lake water is drained through it.It was not a sloping, passable passage, but a well that went straight up and down, and it was impossible to venture down. They brought their torches to the mouth of the well, but couldn't see anything.Smith threw a lit twig into the abyss.The bough fire grew brighter as it fell rapidly, illuminating the interior of the well, but still nothing could be seen.There was only a chirp, and the fire went out, indicating that the branches had fallen into the water, that is, the surface of the sea. From the time when the branches fell, the engineer calculated that the depth of the well was about ninety feet. The ground here must therefore be at an altitude of ninety feet. This is where we live.Cyrus.Smith said. But what beasts live here?Ji Ding.Spilett said his curiosity had not been satisfied. Amphibian or not, it has escaped from the well anyway, replied the engineer, leaving us the place. At any rate, said the sailor, Top never barks for nothing!I should like to be Top, if only for a quarter of an hour. Cyrus.Smith looked at his dog and murmured: Yes, I believe Top knows a lot more than we do.Those near him might hear the words. In any case, the hopes of the residents were largely met.On the one hand, due to opportunity, on the other hand, due to the amazing wisdom of their leaders, they have benefited a lot.They have now occupied a huge stone cave. Although the light from the torches is too dim to accurately estimate the size of the cave, it is certainly possible to divide it into many rooms with bricks, even if it cannot be used as one. A house, at least as a large apartment.After the lake is diverted, it will never come back.This place is free to use. At present, there are still two difficulties: first, how to get sunlight into the cave in the middle of the rock; Only by cutting through the rock wall facing the sea.Cyrus.When Smith walked down, he roughly estimated the slope and length of the corridor. He thought that the outer wall could not be too thick.If light can come in from here, then a door must be able to be opened, because doors and windows are chiselled the same, but a ladder needs to be installed outside, which is not difficult. Smith told everyone what he thought. So, Mr. Smith, let's get started!I have here a pickaxe, said Pencroft, which will soon go through the wall.Can you tell me where to do it? Here, said the engineer, he led the strong sailor to a place where the walls of the rock were rather deeply recessed, and the thickness of the rock was much thinner than elsewhere. Pencroft attacked the Granite by the light of his torches.Rubble was everywhere.After chiseling for half an hour, Neb went up to replace him, and then Keating.Spilett replaced Nab again. They went on working for two hours, and began to suspect that this was not a place for a pickaxe to cut through.At this time, Ji Ding.Spilett's last hoe went through the rock, and the tool fell outside. Ha ha!cried Pencroft. Here the stone walls are only three feet thick. Smith rested his eyes on the hole in the wall, which was eighty feet above the ground.In front stretched the coast and small islands, and in the distance was the vast and boundless ocean. The sun shines through the gap, illuminating this magnificent cave.The height and width of the cave on the left side are not more than thirty feet, but on the right side it is very spacious, with a circular ceiling reaching a height of more than eighty feet. The vault in the cave is like the central dome of a church, supported by many irregular granite columns.Some of these stone pillars are like side buttresses, and some are like oval arches, dotted with many vivid patterns.In the dark corners, there are also many prominent patterns hidden like hanging ornaments.Through the strange-shaped arches formed by these stone pillars, some light came faintly.The cave is like a complex of Byzantine, Roman and Gothic architectural arts of all mankind.But it was created by nature.Nature has wrought this Alhambra-esque sanctuary in granite rock. Residents can't help but admire the place.At first they thought there was only a narrow stone cave, but they found a magical palace. Neb took off his hat as if he had entered a temple! Everyone applauds loudly.Laughter filled the cave, echoing again and again before disappearing in the dark nave. Hello friends!Cyrus.Smith said loudly, after we open the windows here, we will use the left side as a room and warehouse, and the magnificent cave on this side will be reserved as a study and our museum! What shall we name it?asked Herbert. Granite Palace.Smith said.After hearing this, his companions cheered again and expressed their agreement. The torches were almost exhausted, and they had to go back to the high ground through the passage.It was decided to put off the necessary work of tidying up the new house until the next day. Before leaving, Cyrus.Smith lay down on the dark well head and looked at the sea at the bottom of the well, and listened carefully for a while.There was no sound at the bottom of the well, not even the turbulent waves that often occur in the depths.He threw down another burning branch.For an instant, the surroundings of the well were illuminated, but it was still the same as the first time, and nothing suspicious was seen. Even if any monster was startled by the sudden stagnation of the tide and could not find a new exit for a while, it must have returned to the sea by this underground passage. The engineer stood there dumbfounded, staring into the abyss, without saying a word. The sailor came up to him, touched his arm, and cried, "Mr. Smith!" What's the matter, my friend?The engineer seemed to have just woken up from a dream, and asked back. The torch is going out. let's go!Cyrus.Smith said. The team left the cave and began to climb up the dark corridor.Top followed last, growling now and then.It is quite difficult to go up.Residents rested for a few minutes in the cave above.On the long granite steps, here seems to be a half-way rest stop.Then they continued to climb up. Soon the fresher air will be breathed.The crystal water droplets on the stone wall have evaporated.The bright torches began to dim, and one in Neb's hand was extinguished.If you don't want to fumble in the dark, you have to speed up. They quickened their pace, and when it was nearly four o'clock CyrusSmith and his companions came out of the passage; at this moment the sailor's torches were also extinguished.