In this manner they advanced in utter darkness for about thirty yards, when they reached a second opening, about three feet high, which bore some resemblance to a Gothic arch.
This also it was necessary to enter consecutively.

Having passed this they were able to proceed upon their legs, still stooping, however, until, as they got onwards, they found themselves able to walk erect.
A third and larger opening, however, was still before them, over which hung a large thick winnow-cloth.
"Now," said the priest, "leave every thing to me.

If we were to put our heads in rashly here we might get a pair of bullets through them that would have as little mercy on us as those of the troopers, had we got them.

No clergyman here, or anywhere else, ever carries firearms, but there are laymen inside who are not bound by our regulations.

The only arms we are allowed to carry are the truths of our religion and the integrity of our lives." He then advanced a step or two, and shook the winnow-cloth three times, when a deep voice from behind it asked, "_Quis venit ?_" "_Introibo ad altare Dei,_" replied the priest, who had no sooner uttered the words than the cloth was partially removed, and a voice exclaimed, "_Benedicite, dilecte frater; beatus qui venit in nomine Domini el sacrosanctae Ecclesiae_." Reilly and his companion then entered the cave, which they had no sooner done than the former was seized with a degree of wonder, astonishment, and awe, such as he had never experienced in his life before.