They listened beside it
a little while but no sound came from within.
"They dare not cry out," said Obed. "They're afraid we'll come back. Now
for the second step in our escape. It's pretty dark here. Those fellows
must have known the way mighty well to have come down as they did
without a lantern."
"There are other prisoners in these cells," said Ned. "Shouldn't we
release them? You can probably open any of the doors with your key."
White shook his head.
"I'm sure that we're the only Texans or Americans in San Juan de Ulua,
and we couldn't afford to be wasting time on Mexicans whether
revolutionaries or criminals. There would merely be a tumult with every
one of us sure to be recaptured."
The two now advanced down the passage, which was low and narrow, walled
in with massive stone. It was so dark here that they held each other's
hands and felt the way before every footstep.
"I think we're going in the right direction," whispered White, "As I
remember it this is the way I came in."
"I'm sure of it," Ned whispered back. "Ah, here are more steps."
They had reached the stairway which led down to the hall of the
submarine cells, and still feeling their way they ascended it
cautiously. As they rose the air seemed to grow fresher, as if they were
nearing the openings by which it entered.
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