He was oblivious to his surroundings, oblivious to everything but the object of his quest--Harry Hardy, lying far below in the dripping main drive of the Silver Stream.

His large dark eyes, staring unblinkingly, seemed as if set on a vision of his friend prone on the muddy floor of the drive, with the treacherous waters stealing amongst his hair.

The present mission had nothing in common with those fanciful adventures that had served to make the boy the wonder and despair of his native township.

Richard Haddon was entirely forgotten for the time being, and this concentration of mind and energy served to carry the boy bravely over every obstacle.
Dick made his way through the opening he and Ted had fashioned, dropped into the Red Hand drive beneath, and then turned with familiar feet and hastened towards the shaft.

A few centres had been knocked out and thrown across the pit as a staging, so that access to the ladder was possible, but not with out some risk.