The herald., 1898-01-16
FARGos MAP OF FRoNTENAC CAVE
"Let me go" l said.

'Let me go," said.
you went back after the gun-it':
my turn. You have not the strength
to go, anyhow"
"I'm afraid 1 haven't" I answered
for 1 felt hardly able to rise.
II can get it, Harry" he cried. "You
stay here. Well get down to the fire
and foodl"
He started away almost on a run,
with the little blaze of the candle cling
ing to the wick like a flag. 1 watched
the point of the flame as he hurried
along a low tunnel which led straight
back toward where we had come from.
l caught the faint outline of a thick pill
lar as he turned round it; then I saw
the light go down suddenly and next
| fly a dozen feet to one side, and the
Captains hand which had thrown it
sweep over the other way as he rolled
on the ground. I leaped up, and there
came deep, muffied splash and l knew
he had gone over the edge of a pit and
fallen into deep water below.
| The candle had gone out when it
struck the ground. so 1 dropped to my
hands and knees and crept inch by inch
through the darkness, feeling for the
edge of the pit. The commotion had
started the bats, and twice / felt them
| fan my face with their skinny wings
AT last my hand went over the edge
of the pit and l called again and again
| but got only echoes and more bats in
reply. Then I began a search for the
candle. How long I felt about that wet
and rocky floor 1 know not, but il
seemed hours, often coming up to the
pit and put ting one hand suddenly over
But at last I found it near the pillar
and lit it, and, forgetting my weakness
once more, went away through the long
cave for the rope.
| Half the way, I think, I crept on my
hands and knees, but not once did ]
make a mistake and go wrong I went
by our bedroom and heard the strange
thump, thump, thump, which now filled
the tunnel at the side. On and on
hurried till I came to the foot of the
steep tunnel leading to the slnk-hole
dome. I looked eagerly on the ledge
for the rope where l had seen it wher
l got the gun; but it was gone.
| I need not say that I was astonished
The candle was down to tle.last inch
and the melted tallow was running owe,
and hardening on my fingers. I coul6
only hurry back to the pit where the
Captain had gone over. Here (and
speak with due bounds) I was ever
more astonished. The matter which
struck me speechless with wonder was
the rope which I had gone after, one
end tied about the pillar and the rest
coiled on the edge of the pit not foui
yards from where the Captain had gone
over.
My candle had some time before got
too short to carry. so I had stuck it ir
the hollow of the larger end of small
stalactite which had broken off. The
melting tallow had filled this, though
there was not a teaspoonful of it left
making it more like a small lamp
When 7 saw the rope I instantly pushed
the coil over the edge into the pit.
| heard the end splash in the water. Their
I stuck the stalactite in my cap an6
started down the rope. knowing moth
| ing, how far it might be, nor ever hay
ing tried to go down any rope before
| indeed, in my right senses (for I wa.
truly out of my mind.) I doubt if had
had the courage to do it.
Down I went. hand under hand, til
found my feet in the water; but push
ing against the wall I managed t.
swing out enough to land on thu