Part 13 (1/2)

Jack agreed that there was no risk of the tide rising to the place where they then were, so they sat down on the dry sand, and being tired from their exertions, very soon fell fast asleep

Jack was notWhen he went to sleep he did so in right earnest, and ement, if he had not been called to take a part in it

Bill had a ether at rest

He fancied so fro head over heels to the botto, with the French after his had overtaken hihtly by the ar to arouse hih the mouth of the cavern; beyond could be seen the blue sea shi+ning brightly in the rays of the sun, with a chasse- swiftly across it, impelled by a smart breeze off shore

Jack had taken it into his head that the people on board ht see them

”I don't think there's much chance of that,” said Bill ”Even if they happen to turn their glasses this way, depend on it, if we sit quiet, they'll not discover us”

The vessel soon disappeared, and they then looked about to exae

The tide was still at its highest, and the water washed up to the ledge in front of the cavern The ground rose considerably above that point to where they sat, and on looking round they saw that it continued to rise behind them for some distance

Bill advised that they should at once explore it, observing that though, even at spring-tide, with the wind off shore, the water ale blow froht drive the waves far up the cavern, and expose theer ”We cannot tell what may happen,” he said, ”and it's as well to be prepared for the worst Besides, if the soldiers come to look for us, they may find the mouth of the cavern, and make their way some distance in, but if they do not discover us they'll fancy we are not here, and go away again as wise as they came”

Jack saw the wisdoroped their way on, aided by the light, which, though dim, pervaded the part of the cavern they had reached Every now and then they stopped, and, on looking back, could still see the entrance, with the bright sea beyond it

At length they caress; but, feeling about them, found that the cavern reatest caution, for fear of coht fall

”If we had a torch we ot to,”

observed Jack

”But we haven't got a torch, and no chance of getting one; and so we ood use of our hands,” answered Bill ”Weout one hand before we lift up the other”

They were groping forward on their hands and knees, and were in total darkness; still, as they looked back, there was a faint gliht, which appeared round the corner of the rock, and this would enable theain Hitherto they hadupwards; possibly it h, to the top of the cliff, though they hoped that there was no opening in that direction

Here, at all events, they thought that they should be secure, even should their pursuers enter the cavern

As they were getting hungry, they agreed to go back and eat their breakfast in daylight near the spring, which would afford theht of cool water They returned as they had co the rock

Just before they reached the turning in the cavern, they discovered a recess which would hold both of the-place should the soldiers by any chance coot back to the spot where they had slept, which was close to the stream Here they sat down, and produced the provisions which they had brought fro their stock, they calculated that they had sufficient to last theone, what shall we do?” asked Jack

”We must try to pick up some shell-fish from the rocks,” answered Bill

”The soldiers by that ti for us, and if any persons from the top of the cliffs see us they won't knoe are, and will fancy we are fisher-boys getting bait Perhaps before that tie to hail her before we run short of food; at all events, there's no use being frightened about what may happen”

Every now and then one or the other went towards theas the tide re discovered; but at loater the French soldiers were very likely to co the sands, and could scarcely fail to see thedown, black rocks appearing one by one above the surface

They accordingly determined to retire to the inner part of the cavern, and to wait there till they calculated that the tide would once more have come in

”We ht, and to endure six of darkness,” observed Bill

”I sha'n't care o to sleep and amuse ourselves the best e can think of while the tide is in,” said Jack