Part 27 (2/2)

The old chap always talks as if the island belonged to him He'd better not interfere with it if he does find out; but, I say, fancy old Daygo scrae I should like to see him”

”I shouldn't,” said Vince, ”especially after all we've done”

For atheir s which they considered they wanted, with the result that the lanthorn and a supply of candles always stood in a niche a short distance down the passage; short ropes were fastened wherever there was one of the sharp or sloping descents, so that they could run down quickly; and in several places a hammer and cold chisel had been utilised so as to chip out a foothold

In the caverns the which they kept supplied ater, a sridiron, all of which had been bought and brought for them by the skipper of the little smack which touched at the island like a marine carrier's cart once a week

Then they had an axe and saw, and stored up driftwood for their fire; fishi+ng lines and a good supply of hooks; a gaff andtowels--for the pools in the outer cavern's

As the ti such a curious secret place did not wear off On the contrary, the satisfaction it afforded therew, the more especially that the journey to and fro had become much h the oak wood, knew the sranite blocks, and were always finding better ways of threading the rugged chaos at the bottoe slope

As far as they could see ahead it seethe place entirely to therown up

But at sixteen or so we do not know everything It was the day after the conversation at the oldwith Mr Deane, the two boys met as usual, and started in the opposite direction to that which they intended to take, for they had not taken many steps before Vince kicked out sidewise and struck Mike on the boot

”What did you do that for?” said the other angrily

”'Cause I liked;” and a tussle ensued, half serious on one side, jocular on the other

”Nohispered Vince, ”break away and run towards that bay, and I'll chase you”

”What for? What's coo's sitting under a stone yonder s off as hard as he could go, chased by Vince, till they ell out of sight, and then, by ood half- way north of their custooal

”That's what they call throwing dust in any one's eyes, isn't it?” said Mike, laughing

”Yes,” said Vince, ”and we shall have toh I don't see why it o near hi, or into one of the west bays to shell, and he thinks we have so else on the way”

”Well, so we have, and--Hullo, Joe! you there?”

”Yes, young gentleruffly, as he suddenly caht you'd gone down to the west bays”

”Well, we did think of going; but it's cooler and ly there under the cliffs Seen any rabbits?”

”Two on 'e couldn't do it, let alone you Ounce o' shot's only thing I know that runs fast enough to ketch them”

It was an aard predica that they would like to go off at once in another direction, only that they shrank fro the old fisherman, for fear he should find the way down into the caves

They wandered on in his company for a few minutes, and then Vince took the initiative and cried,--

”I say, I'm sick of this; it's dreadful Coet down to the sea”

”I don't think you can get down anywhere near here Can you, Joe?”

asked Mike