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Duck breathed a sigh of relief He was not in a wide, open chamber, just in a narrow mine shaft A miracle he’d hit it

He wondered if there were bats in here Well, judging by the scared looks of all the others up above, there was soMaybe bats would be a good sign

“Okay!” he yelled up

No answer

“Okay! I’m down!” he shouted as loud as he could

A rope uncoiled and dropped

Caine was first He landed gently, using his oer to cushion the drop

“Dark down here,” Caine said He yelled up the shaft “Okay, brother: jump”

Light shone blindingly bright down the shaft Duck had h a chink in a shutter

Caine raised his hands and Sam dropped slowly down the shaft

Saht in his hands Only not holding it, really, Duck realized when his eyes had adjusted The light just glowed from Sam’s palms

“I know this place,” Caine said “We’re just a few dozen feet from the cavern”

“Duck, we may need you,” Sam said

“But I was just going to—”

Sarabbed hiround