Part 24 (2/2)
”I'm going to explore the caves back of this. They must lead to somewhere.”
The old sailor shook his head. ”More'n likely they lead to the bowels of the earth. You'll fall into some pitfall, and that will be the end of you.”
”I'll light a torch as soon as I am out of sight of this place, and I'll be very careful where I step.”
”This cave may be as big as the Mammoth Cave of Kentucky. You'll get lost in one of the chambers and never find your way out.”
”I'll have to risk that. But I'm bound to try it--if they give me the chance.”
”You're foolish. Why, confound it, I've half of a mind to report the scheme.”
”Oh, Leroy, surely you won't do that.”
”I mean just to save you from yourself, Larry.”
”I don't intend to remain a prisoner until I am baldheaded, Leroy.
I'm going to try to escape--and that's the end of it.”
”Will you take any of the others along?”
”If they want to go.”
”There won't a soul go--and I know it,” responded the stout sailor, in positive tones.
When the other prisoners came in, he told them of Larry's plan. One and all of them agreed it was foolhardy.
”I don't believe there is any opening,” said one. ”Or if there is, it's so high up in the mountains that you'll never reach it.”
”And what are you going to do for eating? That kettle of stew won't last forever,” said another.
So the talk ran on, but the more he was opposed, the more headstrong did Larry become--and that, as old readers know, was very much like him.
”I shall go, and good-bye to all of you,” he said, in conclusion. And then he shook hands with one after another, Leroy last of all. The _Yorktown's_ man was trembling.
”I hate ter see ye do it, lad,” he said. ”It seems like going to death, but--but--hang it, I'll go along, so there!”
”But you needn't if you don't wish to,” protested the youth. ”I am not afraid to go alone.”
”But I am a-going, and we'll sink or swim together, Larry. Who else goes?”
Dan Leroy, looked from one face to the next. But not another prisoner spoke, for each had taken a short walk to the rear caves and seen quite enough of them. Then a guard came in, and the strange meeting broke up immediately.
The prisoners lay down to rest, but not one of them could go to sleep.
All of the others were waiting for Larry and Leroy's departure. At last, satisfied that all was right for the night, the guard went outside, to join several of his companions around the camp-fire.
”Now, then,” whispered Larry, and arose, to be followed immediately by Dan Leroy. The kettle secured, they hurried for the rear of the outer cave, without so much as looking at the others, who raised up to watch their shadowy disappearance.
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