Darkness so black that Bud knew they had entered another of those mysterious, subterranean passages which had created such names as abounded in the country: the "Sinks", "Little Lost", and Sunk River itself which disappeared mysteriously.

He was beginning to wonder with a grim kind of humor if he himself was not about to follow the example of the rivers and disappear, when the soft padding of their footfalls blurred under the whistling of wind.

Fine particles of sand stung him, a blast full against him halted him for a second.

But the rope pulled steadily and he went on, half-dragged into starlight again.
They were in a canyon; deep, sombre in its night shadows, its width made known to him by the strip of starlight overhead.

Directly before them, not more than a hundred yards, a light shone through a window.
The rope slackened in his hands, and Eddie slipped back to him shivering a little as Bud discovered when he laid a hand on his arm.
"I guess I better tie yuh--but it won't be so yuh can't shoot.