With a feeling of relief I faced that black interior.

Now, at least, we were beyond chance of discovery by any prowling Spanish guard, and could advance more freely.
"Lead on," I commanded shortly, resting my hand upon his shoulder to make sure of his presence.

"I will keep hold upon your robe, so we shall not part company in the darkness." Very slowly we felt uncertain passage across the uneven floor.

It appeared littered with innumerable articles of the box and barrel order, with here and there a pile of loose lumber, altogether making such a jumble of obstruction that keeping our direction became simply impossible in that intense darkness which seemed to fairly swallow us.
We did well to proceed at all, and escape creating a racket by stumbling over some of the many unseen obstacles in our path.

As to myself, I became so thoroughly confused by constant turning and climbing as to grow completely lost, but fortunately the priest kept a somewhat clearer brain, and, after groping blindly for some time, pausing occasionally as though he would smell his way like a dog, managed to put hand at last upon the object of his patient search.
"'T is here," he whispered.