The Professor turned to the two girls as he closed his camera.  The mad hunger for notoriety evidently blinded him to the dangers which would have been perceptible at any other time, and Holman’s remarks had not improved his temper.

“Come, come, Edith!” he entreated.  “We must get along.  You hear what Mr. Leith says?  There is no danger.  A rope will be put around your waist, and an accident will be impossible.”

The younger girl took a glance at the terrifying abyss and shrank back to Edith’s side.

“Wait till the morning,” she whispered.

“What is that?” asked the Professor.

“Barbara wants you to wait till the morning,” replied Edith.  “I think it will be better.  This light doesn’t make the place look attractive.”

Leith moved his big hands in a manner that showed he was willing to wait till the following day, and Barbara Herndon gave a little gasp of relief.  Soma coiled the rope that he had laid out in expectation of an immediate descent, and the whole party moved back about thirty yards from the obstacle in our path.  As I analyzed my own feelings, on turning my back upon the spot, I felt that Barbara Herndon was not alone in desiring to make the trip when the wholesome sunbeams were pouring into the shadowy cauldron.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER IX

INTO THE VALLEY OF ECHOES

Holman and I had sat up late discussing the Vermilion-lined crater on the night we halted upon its brink, and it was Leith’s voice that roused us in the morning.  He showed no signs of resentment over the difference with Holman on the preceding afternoon, and he attempted to joke with Barbara Herndon as we made a hasty breakfast.

“I hope you slept well?” he grinned.

“I didn’t,” she replied.  “I had dreams of that place, and they were perfectly horrid dreams.”

“Well, dreams don’t amount to much,” he replied, “and this sunshine will soon make you forget them.”

The sunshine, or probably the night’s rest, had a wonderful effect upon the nerves of the younger girl, and she viewed the crater with much more composure than on the previous afternoon.  Soma had the rope in readiness when we approached the edge, and together with another carrier he slipped down upon the slippery pathway, and, with head above the rim, grinned an invitation to the party to follow his example.

“Now who goes first?” asked Leith.

I had settled that matter with Holman as we sat smoking the night before, and I stepped forward while the youngster gripped the rope with Kaipi and the other four carriers.  We had decided that I should go down to the ledge to assist the two girls to the cavern, while he should stay above ground to make certain that no hitch would occur while they were being lowered.