The rest of us, for Higgs declined to leave, and we had no means of carrying Joshua, remained watching the place, or rather the Abati watched while we slept with our rifles in our hands.
Before noon Quick returned, accompanied by many men with litters and all things needful.
Then we pulled out the stones, and Oliver, Japhet, and some others descended to the first level and arranged blasting charges.

Awhile after he reappeared with his companions, looking somewhat pale and anxious, and shouted to us to get back.

Following our retreat to a certain distance, unwinding a wire as he came, presently he stopped and pressed the button of a battery which he held in his hand.

There was a muffled explosion and a tremor of the soil like to that of an earthquake, while from the mouth of the shaft stones leapt into the air.
It was over, and all that could be noted was a sinkage in the ground where the ancient pit had been.
"I am sorry for them," said Oliver presently, "but it had to be done." "Sorry for whom ?" I asked.
"For those Fung priests or soldiers.

The levels below are full of them, dead or alive.