In some parts of the bottom there were "wells," or holes, about two feet in diameter, which seemed to go down indefinitely.

These, we were told, were the places where the water came up from below into the spring.

We could see the weeds and grasses that grew on the edges of these wells, although we could not see very far down into them.
"If I had only known," said Rectus, "what sort of a place we were coming to, I should have brought something to lower down into these wells.

I tell you what would have been splendid!--a heavy bottle filled with sweet oil and some phosphorus, and a long cord.

If we shook up the bottle it would shine, so that, when we lowered it into the wells, we could see it go down to the very bottom, that is, if the cord should be long enough." At this instant, Corny went overboard! Rectus made a grab at her, but it was too late.