The smoke, also, from our
torch, ascending into the vaulted roof of the cavern, was beginning to
disturb the weird dwellers from their gloomy abode, and already
ghostly, bat-like forms began to fill the air space above our heads. It
was time to leave, and, reluctantly, we began to push the boat toward
the mouth of the cave, promising ourselves to return next day for more
of the precious stuff; of which there appeared to be an inexhaustible
supply. As we neared the entrance to the cave, however, we were
startled to observe a peril which had hitherto escaped our notice.
Poised over the arch of the narrow passage was a mass of rock so finely
balanced that it seemed to be held in its place by the weight of a
number of bat-like creatures clustering at one of its angles. As we
approached, these bats, startled by the light of our torch, began, one
or two at a time, to rise from their resting place, causing the rock to
topple toward us. Thus we stood in danger of being crushed by the mass
should it fall as we passed the entrance, or, worse still, if it fell
before we escaped into the cave beyond, we might find ourselves
entombed alive in this dreadful place, to become a prey to the horrors
of which we had had previous experience.
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