Indeed it was as black as if the prisoners had been plunged into a gloomy pit.  Then, as they looked up while being half led, half dragged along they saw that they had left the outer air and were being conducted into some sort of a cave.

“It’s an ice-cavern!” groaned the old hunter, “They are going to torture us as the Indians do!”

“Hush!” cautioned the inventor.  “Do not think of such things.  All is not yet lost!”

In a little while the darkness, caused by the captives being suddenly taken from the bright sunlight into the cave, was somewhat dispelled.  It grew gradually brighter, thought they were conducted farther and farther into the recesses of the cavern.  Then, as they were led around the turn of a passage, they saw what made the light.

Scores of rude lamps, made from hollowed out stones, with twisted moss for wicks, and burning seal oil, gave a smoky illumination, that lit up the cave with a red glare.  The lamps were set in niches in the icy walls of the cavern, while some were placed upon the floor and others seemed to be arranged about a sort of altar at the farther end of the big ice chamber.

From the icy crystal walls the glare of the moss wicks was reflected back in a thousand points of light, and amid the glow the captives beheld a score or more of old men seated in a circle about a big centre lamp, that shone with a flame five times as bright as any of the others.

“It looks as if we were being brought before the head men of the tribe,” muttered the old hunter.

A short distance away from the circle of old men, the native in the white furs, who seemed to have lost some of his authority on entering the ice chamber, motioned the captives to be seated.  They sat down, crossed legs, and waited.

They were aware that the interior of the cave was much warmer than the air outside, and soon were forced to lay aside some of their heavy garments.  In a little while several women approached bearing huge platters on which rested smoked chunks of hot meat.

It did not look very inviting.  There were no knives, no forks, no napkins and no plates.  None of the somewhat limited comforts of the airship were to be had.  But the captives were too hungry to mind such things.  Using their fingers, they ate ravenously, and found the meat very good, though they did not know what it was.

“I feel much better,” said Jack.  “If I only had some place to wash my hands now, I’d be quite satisfied.”

“You ought to be thankful you got something to eat,” returned Mark.  “I was almost starved.”

“Dat was as good as roast beef, chicken, pork-chops, cranberry sauce, celery an’ potatoes,” observed Washington with a sigh of satisfaction.

Since the native women had brought them food no one in the cave had taken the slightest notice of the prisoners.  The men in the centre about the big stone lamp sat like so many dark and graven images, saying not a word.