Part 45 (1/2)

”Well, make haste and let's get out; I don't want to be in fresh trouble through stopping so long. I believe it's supper-time.”

”Yes, Master Mark,” replied the boy, ”and so do I.”

They had still a long way to go, but once past the veil of stalact.i.te, they began to enter the workings with the pa.s.sages and chambers possessing fairly level floors, made for the convenience of transporting the ore to the mouth of the mine. The walking then became comparatively easy, but Mark's weariness was on the increase, and there were moments when the faint glow of light which spread around Dummy, as he walked in front, grew misty and strange, playing fantastic tricks to the observer's eye: now it seemed close to him; now it and the black silhouette it formed of the bearer's body appeared to be far-off, and to die away in the distance, but only to return again with a sudden jerk, as Mark started and tried to step out more firmly.

At these moments, his own candle having burned out, Mark watched the shadow of his companion dancing about, now on the floor, now on the ceiling or on either side, looking grotesque and goblin-like for a few moments, and then dying out again and causing the lad to start, as he felt in a dreamy way that he was being left behind, though on recovering his fleeting senses it was only to find that Dummy was almost within touch.

This had been going on for some time, when Mark spoke:

”I say, don't go right away and leave me, Dummy.”

”Who's a-going to?” said the boy, looking round in surprise.

”I know you wouldn't on purpose, but keep looking round. I can't keep awake. My legs do, but all the rest goes to sleep, and I begin getting in a muddle.”

”Oh, we shall soon be out now,” said the boy laughing.

”Soon be out! I never knew the place was so big before. Keep looking back to see that I don't drop down fast asleep.”

”I'd make you go first,” said Dummy, ”but you don't know the way.”

”No: keep on as you are, and make haste.”

”Can't: must go steady, because of the candle.”

”Oh dear!” sighed Mark. ”I am so sleepy, and it's beginning to get down below my belt, to where my leg was hurt.”

”No, no, don't you think that,” cried Dummy. ”Let's keep on talking.”

”Yes,” said Mark, jumping at the proposal. ”Let's keep talking--Who are you laughing at?”

”You, Master Mark. You are sleepy. 'Tarn't far, now. Fresh air'll soon rouse you.”

There was no reply, and as the boy glanced back he could see that his companion was beginning to reel about like a drunken man, and that his eyes had a peculiar dull, fixed look.

The next minute the lids drooped, and he walked on as if that which he had said was quite true--that all was fast asleep but the legs, which went on automatically, and supported their load.

”With a fal, lal-lal, lal-lalla, lalla, la!” yelled Dummy, not unmusically; and it had its effect, for Mark sprang at him, and caught him by the shoulder.

”What was that?” he cried excitedly.

”On'y me singing, Master Mark. Soon be out now.”

”That's what you keep on saying,” cried the lad, pettishly. ”I don't believe we're going right. You've taken a wrong turning by mistake.

Here, I can't go any farther, Dummy. I must lie down and go to sleep again. It's horrible to keep on like this. I know I shall fall.”

”You do, and I'll stick a pin in you,” said the boy roughly.

”What!”