Part 15 (2/2)

Bill waved his torch on one side and peered forward ”It looks like a ure, Jack,” he answered ”I'm not afraid of it Come on! we'll soon see what it is”

Jack was asha behind, and accohtened Jack was soon discovered to be merely a stalactite--a mass of hardened water Similar for from the roof, others in the form of pillars and arches; indeed, the whole cavern looked like the interior of a Gothic building in ruins

Other figures stillout from recesses or doorways on both sides

”Well! this is a strange place I never saw or heard of anything like it,” exclaihosts really were

In littered as if covered with precious stones Even Bill began to fancy that they had got into soround was covered in h that they could ress

They were about to turn back for fear of their torches going out when they reached a low archway Curiosity pro down After going a short distance they found theer cavern, almost circular, like a vast hall, the roof and sides ornah still more profusely

”It won't do to stop here,” said Bill, ”but we'll coain and have another look at it with fresh torches Hallo! what's that?”

Jack started as he had before done, as if he were not altogether co about enchanted caverns, but a strange dread had seized hihosts or spirits of so forward, the light of his torch fell on a pile composed of bales and chests, and casks, and various other articles

The place had evidently been used as a store-room by persons who must have considered that it was not likely to be discovered

As their torches were by this time nearly burnt out, they could not venture to stop and exaoods, but had to hurry back as fast as they could They had e, and had ress in their return, when both of theed to let their torches drop, as they could no longer hold thehted their candles, had they been in any difficulty, but their fire enabled theh they sturound, and once or twice Jack clutched Bill's ar, ”Sure!

there's some one! I saw him move! Can any of the soldiers have come to look for us?”

”Not with such a stor outside,” answered Bill

”It was only one of the ain cried out, ”There! I saw another host if it isn't a host it won't hurt us,” answered Bill; ”but the only ghosts hereabouts are those curious figures, which can't move from their places For hosts at all going about to frighten people The only one I ever heard tell of was 'The cock Lane Ghost', and that was found out to be a shae as they approached the fire, and both being pretty well tired, they were glad to sit down and talk about the wonderful store of goods they had discovered Jack was afraid that the owners ht come back to look for their property and discover them, but Bill was of opinion that they had been placed there by a party of s any one where they had stowed their goods

Froht that they had been there for some time Another visit would enable them to ascertain this, and they resolved tovery sleepy, for they had been ht was far advanced Before lying down, however, Bill said he wished to see how the stor a dreadful uproar in the cavern, and he wanted to ascertain what chance there was of the waves washi+ng in There was notas far as they then were, but it was as well to be on the safe side, and if there was a likelihood of it they would move farther up and carry their provisions and store of fuel with theether, Jack keeping a little behind Bill for though he was as brave as any lad need be in the daylight, or out at sea, he did not somehow, he confessed, feel like hi, shrieking noises caused by the gale

They got on very well till they rounded the rock, when theya sheet of fine spray in their faces, which well-nigh blinded the an to think that it would be wise to go no farther

Every now and then a bright glare filled the cavern, caused by the flashes of lightning darting from the clouds; while, as each sea rolled in, the wholewater, part of which, striking the roof, fell back into the ocean, while a portion rushed up the floor, alh now,” shouted Jack, for they could onlyat the top of their voices ”What will it be when it's high tide?”

”Perhaps it won't be much worse than it is now,” answered Bill ”We shall be safe enough at our hiding-place, and if it gets up , and allow us to retreat in good tiot back to their fire, the embers of which enabled them to dry their clothes They then lay down, and, in spite of the stor, were soon fast asleep