°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡
burned¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡steady¡¡¡¡¡¡glow¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡That¡¡¡¡¡¡test¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡conclusive¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡least¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡
made¡¡ready¡¡to¡¡enter¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Torches¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡light¡¡¡¡¡¡bark£»¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡glowed¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡steady¡¡¡¡¡¡flame¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡little¡¡
smoke£»¡¡had¡¡been¡¡provided£»¡¡as¡¡well¡¡as¡¡a¡¡good¡¡supply¡¡of¡¡electric¡¡dry¡battery¡¡
lamps£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡way¡¡¡¡into¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡cavern¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡thus¡¡¡¡¡¡well¡¡¡¡¡¡lighted¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡At¡¡¡¡¡¡first¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
Indians¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡afraid¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡enter£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡word¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡two¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡Goosal¡¡¡¡¡¡reassured¡¡
them£»¡¡and¡¡they¡¡followed¡¡Professor¡¡Bumper£»¡¡Tom£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡others¡¡into¡¡the¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡113¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡114¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡TOM¡¡SWIFT¡¡IN¡¡THE¡¡LAND¡¡OF¡¡WONDERS¡¡
cavern¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡For¡¡several¡¡hundred¡¡feet¡¡there¡¡was¡¡nothing¡¡remarkable¡¡about¡¡the¡¡cave¡£¡¡
It¡¡was¡¡like¡¡any¡¡other¡¡cavern¡¡of¡¡the¡¡mountains£»¡¡though¡¡wonderful¡¡for¡¡the¡¡
number¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡crystal¡¡¡¡¡¡formations¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡root¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡wallsformations¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡
sparkled¡¡like¡¡a¡¡million¡¡diamonds¡¡in¡¡the¡¡flickering¡¡lights¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Talk¡¡about¡¡a¡¡wonderland£¡¡¨¡¡cried¡¡Tom¡£¡¡¡¨This¡¡is¡¡fairyland£¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡moment¡¡later£»¡¡as¡¡Goosal¡¡walked¡¡on¡¡beside¡¡the¡¡professor¡¡and¡¡Tom£»¡¡
the¡¡aged¡¡Indian¡¡came¡¡to¡¡a¡¡pause£»¡¡and£»¡¡pointing¡¡ahead£»¡¡murmured£º¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨The¡¡city¡¡of¡¡the¡¡dead£¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡saw¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡niches¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡cut¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡rock¡¡¡¡¡¡walls¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡niches¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡held¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
countless¡¡bones¡¡of¡¡those¡¡who¡¡had¡¡died¡¡many£»¡¡many¡¡years¡¡before¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡was¡¡
a¡¡vast¡¡Indian¡¡grave¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Doubtless¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡wealth¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡material¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡historic¡¡¡¡¡¡interest¡¡¡¡¡¡here£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡
Professor¡¡Bumper£»¡¡flashing¡¡his¡¡torch¡¡on¡¡the¡¡skeletons¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨But¡¡it¡¡will¡¡keep¡£¡¡
Where¡¡is¡¡the¡¡city¡¡you¡¡spoke¡¡of£»¡¡Goosal£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Farther¡¡on£»¡¡Senor¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Follow¡¡me¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Past¡¡the¡¡stone¡¡graves¡¡they¡¡went£»¡¡deeper¡¡and¡¡deeper¡¡into¡¡the¡¡great¡¡cave¡£¡¡
Their¡¡footsteps¡¡echoed¡¡and¡¡re¡echoed¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Suddenly¡¡Tom£»¡¡who¡¡with¡¡Ned¡¡had¡¡
gone¡¡a¡¡little¡¡ahead£»¡¡came¡¡to¡¡a¡¡sudden¡¡halt¡¡and¡¡said£º¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Well£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡may¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡burial¡¡¡¡¡¡place¡¡¡¡¡¡sure¡¡¡¡enough£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡think¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡see¡¡
something¡¡alive¡¡all¡¡rightif¡¡it¡¡isn't¡¡a¡¡ghost¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡pointed¡¡¡¡¡¡ahead¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Surely¡¡¡¡¡¡those¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡lights¡¡¡¡¡¡flickering¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡moving¡¡
about£»¡¡and£»¡¡yes£»¡¡there¡¡were¡¡men¡¡carrying¡¡them¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Bumper¡¡party¡¡came¡¡
to¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡surprised¡¡¡¡¡¡halt¡£¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡other¡¡¡¡¡¡lights¡¡¡¡¡¡advanced£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡then£»¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡great¡¡
astonishment¡¡of¡¡Professor¡¡Bumper¡¡and¡¡his¡¡friends£»¡¡there¡¡confronted¡¡them¡¡
in¡¡the¡¡cave¡¡several¡¡scientists¡¡of¡¡Professor¡¡Beecher's¡¡party¡¡and¡¡a¡¡score¡¡or¡¡
more¡¡of¡¡Indians¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Professor¡¡Hylop£»¡¡who¡¡was¡¡known¡¡to¡¡Professor¡¡Bumper£»¡¡
stepped¡¡forward¡¡and¡¡asked¡¡sharply£º¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨What¡¡are¡¡you¡¡doing¡¡here£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡might¡¡ask¡¡you¡¡the¡¡same¡¡thing£»¡¨¡¡was¡¡the¡¡retort¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡¡¡¡¡might£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡answered£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡came¡¡¡¡¡¡sharply¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨We¡¡
have¡¡a¡¡right¡¡here£»¡¡having¡¡discovered¡¡this¡¡cavern£»¡¡and¡¡we¡¡claim¡¡it¡¡under¡¡a¡¡
concession¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Honduras¡¡¡¡¡¡Government¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡shall¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡ask¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡
withdraw¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡114¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡115¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡TOM¡¡SWIFT¡¡IN¡¡THE¡¡LAND¡¡OF¡¡WONDERS¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Do¡¡you¡¡mean¡¡leave¡¡here£¿¡¨¡¡asked¡¡Mr¡¡Damon¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨That¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡it£»¡¡¡¡¡¡exactly¡£¡¡We¡¡¡¡¡¡first¡¡¡¡¡¡discovered¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡cave¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡
conducting¡¡explorations¡¡in¡¡it¡¡for¡¡several¡¡days£»¡¡and¡¡we¡¡wish¡¡no¡¡outsiders¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Are¡¡you¡¡speaking¡¡for¡¡Professor¡¡Beecher¡¨'¡¡asked¡¡Tom¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡am¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡he¡¡is¡¡here¡¡in¡¡the¡¡cave£»¡¡and¡¡will¡¡speak¡¡for¡¡himself¡¡if¡¡you¡¡
desire¡¡it¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡I¡¡represent¡¡him£»¡¡and¡¡I¡¡order¡¡you¡¡to¡¡leave¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡If¡¡you¡¡do¡¡not¡¡go¡¡
peaceably¡¡we¡¡will¡¡use¡¡force¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡have¡¡plenty¡¡of¡¡it£»¡¨¡¡and¡¡he¡¡glanced¡¡back¡¡
at¡¡the¡¡Indians¡¡grouped¡¡behind¡¡himscowling¡¡savage¡¡Indians¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨We¡¡have¡¡no¡¡wish¡¡to¡¡intrude£»¡¨¡¡observed¡¡Professor¡¡Bumper£»¡¡¡¨and¡¡I¡¡fully¡¡
recognize¡¡the¡¡right¡¡of¡¡prior¡¡discovery¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡one¡¡member¡¡of¡¡our¡¡party¡¡£¨he¡¡
did¡¡not¡¡say¡¡which¡¡one£©¡¡was¡¡in¡¡this¡¡cave¡¡many¡¡years¡¡ago¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡led¡¡us¡¡to¡¡it¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Ours¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡government¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡concession£¡¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡exclaimed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Professor¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Hylop¡¡
harshly¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨We¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡want¡¡¡¡¡¡no¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡intruders£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Go£¡¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡pointed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡toward¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
direction¡¡whence¡¡Tom's¡¡party¡¡had¡¡come¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Drive¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡them¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡out£¡¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡ordered¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Indians¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡Spanish£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡
muttered¡¡¡¡¡¡threats¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡dark¡¡¡¡¡¡¡skinned¡¡¡¡¡¡men¡¡¡¡¡¡advanced¡¡¡¡¡¡toward¡¡¡¡¡¡Tom¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
others¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡need¡¡not¡¡use¡¡force£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Professor¡¡Bumper¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡and¡¡Professor¡¡Hylop¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡quarreled¡¡bitterly¡¡¡¡years¡¡before¡¡on¡¡some¡¡
scientific¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡matter£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡matter¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡afterward¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡found¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡wrong¡£¡¡
Perhaps¡¡this¡¡made¡¡him¡¡vindictive¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Tom¡¡¡¡¡¡stepped¡¡¡¡¡¡forward¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡started¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡protest£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡Professor¡¡¡¡¡¡Bumper¡¡
interposed¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡guess¡¡there¡¡is¡¡no¡¡help¡¡for¡¡it¡¡but¡¡to¡¡go¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡seems¡¡to¡¡be¡¡theirs¡¡by¡¡right¡¡
of¡¡discovery¡¡and¡¡government¡¡concession£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡said£»¡¡in¡¡disappointed¡¡¡¡tone¡£¡¡
¡¨Come¡¡friends¡¨£»¡¡and¡¡dejectedly¡¡they¡¡retraced¡¡their¡¡steps¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Followed¡¡by¡¡the¡¡threatening¡¡Indians£»¡¡the¡¡Bumper¡¡party¡¡made¡¡its¡¡way¡¡
back¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡entrance¡£¡¡They¡¡¡¡had¡¡hoped¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡great¡¡things£»¡¡but¡¡if¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡cavern¡¡
gave¡¡access¡¡to¡¡the¡¡buried¡¡citythe¡¡ancient¡¡city¡¡of¡¡Kurzon¡¡on¡¡the¡¡chief¡¡altar¡¡
of¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡stood¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡golden¡¡¡¡¡¡idol£»¡¡¡¡¡¡Quitzelit¡¡¡¡¡¡looked¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡though¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡
never¡¡to¡¡enter¡¡it¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨We'll¡¡have¡¡to¡¡get¡¡our¡¡Indians¡¡and¡¡drive¡¡those¡¡fellows¡¡out£¡¡¨¡¡declared¡¡
Tom¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I'm¡¡not¡¡going¡¡to¡¡be¡¡beaten¡¡this¡¡wayand¡¡by¡¡Beecher£¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨It¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡galling£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡declared¡¡¡¡¡¡Professor¡¡¡¡¡¡Bumper¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Still¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡has¡¡¡¡¡¡right¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡115¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡116¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡TOM¡¡SWIFT¡¡IN¡¡THE¡¡LAND¡¡OF¡¡WONDERS¡¡
side£»¡¡and¡¡I¡¡must¡¡give¡¡in¡¡to¡¡priority£»¡¡as¡¡I¡¡would¡¡expect¡¡him¡¡to¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡is¡¡the¡¡
unwritten¡¡law¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Then¡¡we've¡¡failed£¡¡¨¡¡cried¡¡Tom¡¡bitterly¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Not¡¡yet£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡Professor¡¡¡¡Bumper¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨If¡¡¡¡I¡¡can¡¡¡¡not¡¡unearth¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡buried¡¡
city¡¡I¡¡may¡¡find¡¡another¡¡in¡¡this¡¡wonderland¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡shall¡¡not¡¡give¡¡up¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Hark£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡What's¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡noise£¿¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡asked¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Tom£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡approached¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
entrance¡¡to¡¡the¡¡cave¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Sounds¡¡like¡¡a¡¡great¡¡wind¡¡blowing£»¡¨¡¡commented¡¡Ned¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡was¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡As¡¡they¡¡stood¡¡in¡¡the¡¡entrance¡¡they¡¡looked¡¡out¡¡to¡¡find¡¡a¡¡fierce¡¡
storm¡¡raging¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡wind¡¡was¡¡sweeping¡¡down¡¡the¡¡rocky¡¡trail£»¡¡the¡¡rain¡¡was¡¡
falling¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡veritable¡¡¡¡¡¡bucketfuls¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡overhanging¡¡¡¡¡¡cliff£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡deafening¡¡
thunder¡¡and¡¡blinding¡¡lightning¡¡roared¡¡and¡¡flashed¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Surely¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡drive¡¡¡¡¡¡us¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡storm£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡¡¡¡¡Professor¡¡
Bumper¡¡to¡¡his¡¡former¡¡rival¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡can¡¡not¡¡stay¡¡in¡¡the¡¡cave£¡¡¡You¡¡must¡¡get¡¡out£¡¡¨¡¡was¡¡the¡¡answer£»¡¡as¡¡a¡¡
louder¡¡crash¡¡of¡¡thunder¡¡than¡¡usual¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡shake¡¡the¡¡very¡¡mountain¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡116¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡117¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡TOM¡¡SWIFT¡¡IN¡¡THE¡¡LAND¡¡OF¡¡WONDERS¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡CHAPTER¡¡XXIII¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ENTOMBED¡¡ALIVE¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡For¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡instant¡¡¡¡¡¡Tom¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡friends¡¡¡¡¡¡paused¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡entrance¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
wonderful¡¡cavern£»¡¡and¡¡looked¡¡at¡¡the¡¡raging¡¡storm¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡seemed¡¡madness¡¡to¡¡
venture¡¡out¡¡into¡¡it£»¡¡yet¡¡they¡¡had¡¡been¡¡driven¡¡from¡¡the¡¡cave¡¡by¡¡those¡¡who¡¡
had¡¡every¡¡right¡¡of¡¡discovery¡¡to¡¡say¡¡who£»¡¡and¡¡who¡¡should¡¡not£»¡¡partake¡¡of¡¡its¡¡
hospitality¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨We¡¡can't¡¡go¡¡out¡¡into¡¡that¡¡blow£¡¡¨¡¡cried¡¡Ned¡£¡¡¡¨It's¡¡enough¡¡to¡¡loosen¡¡the¡¡
very¡¡mountains£¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Let's¡¡stay¡¡here¡¡and¡¡defy¡¡them£¡¡¨¡¡murmured¡¡Tom¡£¡¡¡¨If¡¡theif¡¡what¡¡we¡¡
seekis¡¡here¡¡we¡¡have¡¡as¡¡good¡¡a¡¡right¡¡to¡¡it¡¡as¡¡they¡¡have¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨We¡¡¡¡¡¡must¡¡¡¡¡¡go¡¡¡¡¡¡out£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡¡¡¡¡Professor¡¡¡¡¡¡Bumper¡¡¡¡¡¡simply¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡¡¡¡¡recognize¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
right¡¡of¡¡my¡¡rival¡¡to¡¡dispossess¡¡us¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨He¡¡may¡¡have¡¡the¡¡right£»¡¡but¡¡it¡¡isn't¡¡human£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Damon¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Bless¡¡
my¡¡overshoes£¡¡¡If¡¡Beecher¡¡himself¡¡were¡¡here¡¡he¡¡wouldn't¡¡have¡¡the¡¡heart¡¡to¡¡
send¡¡us¡¡out¡¡in¡¡this¡¡storm¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡would¡¡not¡¡give¡¡him¡¡the¡¡satisfaction¡¡of¡¡appealing¡¡to¡¡him£»¡¨¡¡remarked¡¡
Professor¡¡Bumper¡£¡¡¡¨Come£»¡¡we¡¡will¡¡go¡¡out¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡have¡¡our¡¡ponchos£»¡¡and¡¡we¡¡
are¡¡not¡¡fair¡weather¡¡explorers¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡If¡¡we¡¡can't¡¡get¡¡to¡¡the¡¡lost¡¡city¡¡one¡¡way¡¡we¡¡
will¡¡another¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Come¡¡my¡¡friends¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡¡¡¡¡despite¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡downpour£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡deafening¡¡¡¡¡¡thunder¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡lightning¡¡
that¡¡seemed¡¡ready¡¡to¡¡sear¡¡one's¡¡eyes£»¡¡he¡¡walked¡¡out¡¡of¡¡the¡¡cave¡¡entrance£»¡¡
followed¡¡by¡¡Tom¡¡and¡¡the¡¡others¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Come¡¡on£¡¡¨¡¡cried¡¡Tom£»¡¡in¡¡a¡¡voice¡¡he¡¡tried¡¡to¡¡render¡¡confident£»¡¡as¡¡they¡¡
went¡¡out¡¡into¡¡the¡¡terrible¡¡storm¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨We'll¡¡beat¡¡'em¡¡yet£¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡rain¡¡fell¡¡harder¡¡than¡¡ever¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Small¡¡torrents¡¡were¡¡now¡¡rushing¡¡down¡¡
the¡¡¡¡¡¡trail£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡only¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡question¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡few¡¡¡¡¡¡minutes¡¡¡¡¡¡before¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡place¡¡
where¡¡they¡¡stood¡¡would¡¡be¡¡a¡¡raging¡¡river£»¡¡so¡¡quickly¡¡does¡¡the¡¡rain¡¡collect¡¡
in¡¡the¡¡mountains¡¡and¡¡speed¡¡toward¡¡the¡¡valleys¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨We¡¡¡¡¡¡must¡¡¡¡¡¡take¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡forest£¡¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡cried¡¡¡¡¡¡Tom¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨There'll¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡some¡¡¡¡¡¡shelter¡¡
there£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡don't¡¡¡¡¡¡like¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡way¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡geography¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡t