The second stage of the journey was monotonous and uneventful. A few slight rapids were encountered, but for the most part the river was swift and smooth. The character of the shores now began to change, and instead of the sharp ledges falling sheer to the water, sandy beaches skirted the edge, and from the canoes they could make out gloomy holes and passages that pierced the sides of the cavern. They were strongly tempted at times to stop and explore these unknown mysteries, but the reflection that every moment thus wasted would prolong their stay on this underground stream always checked the impulse. A flat, rocky ledge served for their next resting-place. It extended back ten yards to a steep wall of rock, and here, in a hollow cavity, Canaris found a mass of driftwood that was dry enough to burn. The fish were cooked rudely over a fire, but without salt they were unpalatable and no one cared to eat them. The luxury of a camp fire was enjoyed while they slept, and, although no watch was kept, the night--if night it really was--passed without alarm. Colonel Carrington had managed to retain during his captivity a small note-book and pencil. In this he kept a record of the journey, jotting down each night the incidents of the day's cruise, and a page from this diary will convey to the reader a clear idea of the uneventful manner in which the first week passed away--a week in long-to-be-remembered contrast to the dreadful period that followed. _Third stage._--Traveled all day on smooth water. Rocky shores. Camped on an island. Could find no wood and slept in the dark. _Fourth stage._--Today we passed rocky islands in great profusion. Once far overhead we saw a single gleam of light shining in from a crevice. So far our calculation is correct. Day is day, and night is night. _Fifth stage._--Nothing important. Ran a few rapids and camped on the right shore on a sandy beach. _Sixth stage._--All goes well. We are making many miles a day. The current continues strong. Camped on flat rock in midstream. _Seventh stage._--Current still good. River very wide and obstructed with rocks. Narrowly missed an upset several times. _Eighth stage._--Traveled rapidly. Camped on a big spit of sand on right shore. Vast cavern behind us. Too sleepy to explore it. Here the peaceful monotony of the colonel's record ended. On this sloping, sandy beach began the first of that string of adventures which to their last moment will send a shudder through those who participated in them. As the colonel stated, they were so weary from the long day's journey that no investigation was made of the vast cavern that lay behind them. Guy advanced a few yards with his blazing torch. "It probably terminates with a rocky wall," he said carelessly: "It's no use looking into it tonight."