Descending into the cool, damp darkness was a new experience for them.
And while the sensations were not particularly pleasant, they agreed
that it was the most interesting journey they ever had taken.
"How far down do we go?" asked Walter.
"About fifty feet," answered the miner. "Of course the mine is not
that far underground all around. Some of the strata of rock we work
lead almost to the surface in places."
"Why don't you begin at the top and work down then?" questioned Tad.
"Some of the mines do that. In this case it was deemed best to sink a
shaft. Here we are."
From the darkness the boys had suddenly been plunged into a blinding
glare of light. It was so intense that at first they were unable to
see anything.
"Good gracious," blinked Ned. "This is brighter than the opera house
at Chillicothe. It's enough to put a fellow's eyes out. What is it?"
"Electric lights," laughed Phipps. "We don't have many conveniences
above ground, but down here we are right up-to-date, as you have
observed."
"As I perhaps shall observe when I am able to get my eyes open once
more," added Ned humorously.
"Why, the place is full of tunnels!" exclaimed Walter.
"Regular checker-board under ground," agreed Tad. "Where do all those
tunnels go to?"
"Under where you have been tramping since you have been in camp.
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