This meant a delay of several days, but it was a virtuous necessity, as it was clearly impossible for the Steam Man to climb the rough mountain sides. Accordingly camp was made. A good clump of palms was found and the fires in the furnace were banked. It was entirely out of the question for four men to remain cooped up three or four days in the cage of the Steam Man, inactive and dull. The natural project was a hunting trip and this was at once decided upon. What sort of game our explorers were in quest of it is not easy to say. In fact, it might as well be said that their quest was as much one of exploration as quest of game. They started early one morning and climbed the mountain side. This was rocky, but fortunately clear of brush or dense chaparral. Several rabbits were bagged and some birds of beautiful plumage. Then just as they were upon the verge of the crater of an extinct volcano, the stirring events of the day began. Suddenly Barney, who was skirting the edge of the crater, gave a sharp cry, and as his companions turned, they were horrified to see him suddenly disappear from sight. ‪“Great heavens!” gasped Frank. ‪“What has become of Barney?” All rushed to an opening in the ground through which the Celt had disappeared. As they reached it, a terrific roar came up from below. It required but a glance for the explorers to perceive a horrible state of affairs. Below, at a depth of some forty feet, was a cavern. The entrance seemed to be from the crater, and clinging vines lined the passage down which Barney had fallen. A treacherous coating of moss had covered the hole, and the unsuspecting Irishman had stepped full upon it, with the result we have seen. In falling, Barney had clutched wildly at the vines, and now he hung twenty feet from the bottom by a single vine, which swayed and seemed likely to snap at any moment. Just below, upon the floor of the cavern, crouched two fierce tigers. They roared and snarled savagely and made upward leaps to reach the Celt. Barney was white with fear and clung desperately to the swinging vine. ‪“Help!” he shouted in terror. ‪“Misther Frank, save me.” ‪“Have courage, Barney!” cried Frank, resolutely. ‪“Hang on and I will do my best.” Barney did hang on with all his strength, and Frank cried, turning to the others: ‪“Draw a bead on the tigers. Be sure and make your shots tell.” The three rifles cracked, and one of the tigers turned over and lay limp and lifeless upon the bottom of the cavern. The other was hit, but not badly wounded. The wound, however, had the effect of exciting the animal’s rage and with a roar it vanished from sight for a moment. When it came into sight again it was seen coming up over the edge of the crater to attack its human foes. Up over the rocks it came with mad leaps. ‪“Look out!” cried Frank Reade, Jr.; ‪“take good aim at the beast.” The three explorers fired. Whether the bullets struck the beast or not it was not easy to say.