bly wide gallery。 One might well believe that it had been pierced by the hand of man； that the pick and mattock had emptied it in the working of a new vein。 The explorers question whether； by a strange chance； they had not been transported into some ancient mine； of the existence of which even the oldest miners in the county had ever known。
No！ It was merely that the geological layers had left this passage when the secondary earths were in course of formation。 Perhaps some torrent had formerly dashed through it； but now it was as dry as if it had been cut some thousand feet lower； through granite rocks。 At the same time； the air circulated freely； which showed that certain natural vents placed it in munication with the exterior atmosphere。
This observation； made by the engineer； was correct； and it was evident that the ventilation of the new mine would be easily managed。 As to the fire…damp which had lately filtered through the schist； it seemed to have been contained in a pocket now empty； and it was certain that the atmosphere of the gallery it。 However； Harry prudently carried only the safety lamp； which would insure light for twelve hours。
James Starr and his panions now felt perfectly happy。 All their wishes were satisfied。 There was nothing but coal around them。 A sort of emotion kept them silent； even Simon Ford restrained himself。 His joy overflowed； not in long phrases； but in short ejaculations。
It was perhaps imprudent to venture so far into the crypt。 Pooh！ they never thought of how they were to get back。
The gallery was practicable； not very winding。 They met with no noxious exhalations； nor did any chasm bar the path。 There was no reason for stopping for a whole hour； James Starr； Madge； Harry； and Simon Ford walked