Then Mark tied the rope around his waist and tugged at it to check it if had been tied properly. Then he stepped onto the first rung of the ladder and started climbing down.
"The rungs are quite firm and steady," he said as he had climbed down a few of them. Down and down her went, while Elena flashed the torch into the hole. Mark climbed to the very bottom and looked about. It was dark on either side.
"I can't see much, but it seems like there are two passages stretching from where I am to the right and the left."
"Well, I think one of you should get another torch if we are to exlpore this properly," said Mark climbing back to the top. "I'll go and get one!"
"Yeah, I think that would be a better idea," said Mark and went and went to the shed. He came back carrying a lantern.
"I couldn't find a torch but I found this. I think it will do for the moment," he said as he untied the rope. But someone will have to wait with this at the top as carrying this while going down the ladder might be bit of a problem.
So, it was decdied that Mark's girl cousing who was the youngest should hold the lantern and stay at the entrance to the hole while the others went and explored what there might be in it. She was glad that she hadn't had to go down the ladder. It looked so scary. Besides she hated tunnels, especially ones tha t were very dark.
She agreed and held the lantern in her hands so that the light shone down into the hole. Then with Mark at the lead, everyone began to deseend down the ladder. They waited til one person got to to the very last rung and onto the flor below before the other did so.
Once everyone was down they went down the tunnel with Mark at the head and flashing the torch. The beam cut therough the darkness and shadow like a blade and illuminated the passage.
They walked down the right passage, with no sound but the sound of their foorsteps. There wee cobwebs haging from the ceiling and they broke though the webs that had been woven across the passage. The passage seemed to go on forver. Then they saw a light further off. They walked brislkly towards it.
"That must be the end of this tunnel," said Mark pointing at the light that seemed to get brighter as they walked on further ahead.
Finally, they they were at the end of the passage and what was their surprise when they heard a muffled roar.
"Why that is the sound of the waves, " said Elena as they emerged into the blinding light.
"Well, you are right, look!" said Mark pointing ahead. Sure enough there was the sea with the waves crashing onto the rocks. The sea breeze was refreshing and the sunlight was soothing after being in the dark with just the light of the torch to dispell it.
"Well, that is pretty neat, we should go back though, she (name) must be waiting for us! Mark said turning back into the passage. They walked and walked down the dark passage.
They came to the ladder and one by one they climbed on to the top. "Now we must put the stone slab back into its place, in case someone comes here and falls down the hole."
"Or see it," said Elena, who wanted to keep this deisocvery a secret.
"Well yeah, and that," said Mark as he tied the rope back onto the iron ring, They pulled and put the stone slab backinto its place.
Elena looked up and saw that it was nearly sundown. "I think I should be going home. My aunt might be worried."
"I'll drop you," said Mark going off to get his bicycle. He brought it and Elena climbed on to the back seat.
They rode past the houses, fields and streets and arrived at Phoenix farm. Elena knocked at the door and Mrs Lavenia opeend it.
"Thank you Mark," she said and Mark waved goodbye and left.
