Part 55 (1/2)

”Find where those fellows keep theirs, and go after it when it's dark

They won't starve themselves, you may be sure”

Mike tried to withdraw his hand, for fear that Vince should think he was afraid to be in the dark; but his cohtened upon it, and he said softly,--

”Don't take your fist away, Ladle; it feels like coo to sleep”

”No”

Mike meant to sit and watch and listen for the fancied splash that indicated the return of the seals But he was tired by exertion and excitement, the cavern arm and dry, the sand was becoarden of the fine old st the flowers and fruit, unconscious of everything else till he suddenly opened his eyes to gaze wonderingly at the thick darkness which closed him in

Vince had fared the same Had any one told him that he could sleep under such circu-place of animals which had proved to him that they could upon occasion be desperate and fierce, he would have laughed in his face; but about the same time as his companion he had lurched over sidewise and fallen fast asleep

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

GETTING DEEPER IN THE HOLE

For soht before hi where he was Tione; and all he could grasp was the fact that he was there

At last, as his brain would not work to help hi for the information he somehow seemed to crave

He touched the sand, then a hand, and started from it in horror, for he could not understand why it was there

By degrees the ian to dawn upon him that he had been awakened by some noise, but by what sound he could not tell He could only feel that it was a noise of which he ought to be afraid, till suddenly there was so in the water

That was enough The whole tide of thought rushed through hied at it and whispered excitedly,--

”Cinder--Vince!--wake up They've come back”

”Eh? What's the lers? Don't speak so loud”

”No, no--the seals Light the lanthorn Where did you put the club and stick?”

”Stop a moment What's the matter with you? I've only just dropped asleep Did you say the seals had come back?”

”Yes: there, don't you hear them?”

”No,” said Vince, after a few

Can you?”

”I can't now,” said Mike, in a hoarse whisper; ”but they woke , and then I roused you”

”Been drea, perhaps,” said Vince ”I suppose we must have both dropped asleep for a few minutes Never mind, we can keep awake better now, and--Hullo!”

”What is it?”

”Here: look out, Mike--look out!”