For a long time he heard no sound except something like the rush of a river inside the rock; but at length what seemed the far-off noise of a great shouting reached his ears, which, however, presently ceased.

After advancing a good way farther, he thought he heard a single voice.

It sounded clearer and clearer as he went on, until at last he could almost distinguish the words.

In a moment or two, keeping after the goblins round another corner, he once more started back--this time in amazement.
He was at the entrance of a magnificent cavern, of an oval shape, once probably a huge natural reservoir of water, now the great palace hall of the goblins.

It rose to a tremendous height, but the roof was composed of such shining materials, and the multitude of torches carried by the goblins who crowded the floor lighted up the place so brilliantly, that Curdie could see to the top quite well.