`` leave the mushrooms , take the guns , '' laurence cupped his hands over his mouth to roar over the commotion ; he snatched up his own sword and pistols , put aside to help with the carrying , and gave mrs. erasmus his hand to descend into the cavern , past the riflemen already crouched down by the door ; shortly the rest of them were crammed in also , all of them jostling involuntarily to keep as near the entrance and its fresh air as they could , until the dragon landed with an earth-trembling heavy thud , and thrust his muzzle directly up against the opening .