Pepper had moved away from me, up the passage, a few steps; he was nosing along the rocky floor; and I thought I heard him lapping.  I went toward him, holding the candle low.  As I moved, I heard my boot go sop, sop; and the light was reflected from something that glistened, and crept past my feet, swiftly toward the Pit.  I bent lower, and looked; then gave vent to an expression of surprise.  From somewhere, higher up the path, a stream of water was running quickly in the direction of the great opening, and growing in size every second.

Again, Pepper gave vent to that deep-drawn howl, and, running at me, seized my coat, and attempted to drag me up the path toward the entrance.  With a nervous gesture, I shook him off, and crossed quickly over to the left-hand wall.  If anything were coming, I was going to have the wall at my back.

Then, as I stared anxiously up the pathway, my candle caught a gleam, far up the passage.  At the same moment, I became conscious of a murmurous roar, that grew louder, and filled the whole cavern with deafening sound.  From the Pit, came a deep, hollow echo, like the sob of a giant.  Then, I had sprung to one side, on to the narrow ledge that ran ’round the abyss, and, turning, saw a great wall of foam sweep past me, and leap tumultuously into the waiting chasm.  A cloud of spray burst over me, extinguishing my candle, and wetting me to the skin.  I still held my gun.  The three nearest candles went out; but the further ones gave only a short flicker.  After the first rush, the flow of water eased down to a steady stream, maybe a foot in depth; though I could not see this, until I had procured one of the lighted candles, and, with it, started to reconnoiter.  Pepper had, fortunately, followed me as I leapt for the ledge, and now, very much subdued, kept close behind.

A short examination showed me that the water reached right across the passage, and was running at a tremendous rate.  Already, even as I stood there, it had deepened.  I could make only a guess at what had happened.  Evidently, the water in the ravine had broken into the passage, by some means.  If that were the case, it would go on increasing in volume, until I should find it impossible to leave the place.  The thought was frightening.  It was evident that I must make my exit as hurriedly as possible.

Taking my gun by the stock, I sounded the water.  It was a little under knee-deep.  The noise it made, plunging down into the Pit, was deafening.  Then, with a call to Pepper, I stepped out into the flood, using the gun as a staff.  Instantly, the water boiled up over my knees, and nearly to the tops of my thighs, with the speed at which it was racing.  For one short moment, I nearly lost my footing; but the thought of what lay behind, stimulated me to a fierce endeavor, and, step-by-step, I made headway.