第60章

The sea is their home, so you may depend upon it that they won't stay more than a day or two at the furthest."We now began to make arrangements for spending the night in the cavern.At various periods Jack and I had conveyed cocoa nuts and other fruits, besides rolls of cocoa-nut cloth, to this submarine cave, partly for amusement, and partly from a feeling that we might possibly be driven one day to take shelter here from the savages.

Little did we imagine that the first savages who would drive us into it would be white savages, perhaps our own countrymen.We found the cocoa-nuts in good condition, and the cooked yams, but the bread-fruits were spoiled.We also found the cloth where we had left it; and, on opening it out, there proved to be sufficient to make a bed; which was important, as the rock was damp.Having collected it all together, we spread out our bed, placed our torch in the midst of us, and ate our supper.It was indeed a strange chamber to feast in; and we could not help remarking on the cold, ghastly appearance of the walls, and the black water at our side, with the thick darkness beyond, and the sullen sound of the drops that fell at long intervals from the roof of the cavern into the still water; and the strong contrast between all this and our bed and supper, which, with our faces, were lit up with the deep red flame of the torch.

We sat long over our meal, talking together in subdued voices, for we did not like the dismal echoes that rang through the vault above when we happened to raise them.At last the faint light that came through the opening died away, warning us that it was night and time for rest.We therefore put out our torch and lay down to sleep.

On awaking, it was some time ere we could collect our faculties so as to remember where we were, and we were in much uncertainty as to whether it was early or late.We saw by the faint light that it was day, but could not guess at the hour; so Jack proposed that he should dive out and reconnoitre.

"No, Jack," said I, "do you rest here.You've had enough to do during the last few days.Rest yourself now, and take care of Peterkin, while I go out to see what the pirates are about.I'll be very careful not to expose myself, and I'll bring you word again in a short time.""Very well, Ralph," answered Jack, "please yourself, but don't be long; and if you'll take my advice you'll go in your clothes, for Iwould like to have some fresh cocoa nuts, and climbing trees without clothes is uncomfortable, to say the least of it.""The pirates will be sure to keep a sharp lookout," said Peterkin, "so, pray, be careful.""No fear," said I; "good-bye."

"Good-bye," answered my comrades.

And while the words were yet sounding in my ears, I plunged into the water, and in a few seconds found myself in the open air.On rising, I was careful to come up gently and to breathe softly, while I kept close in beside the rocks; but, as I observed no one near me, I crept slowly out, and ascended the cliff a step at a time, till I obtained a full view of the shore.No pirates were to be seen, - even their boat was gone; but as it was possible they might have hidden themselves, I did not venture too boldly forward.

Then it occurred to me to look out to sea, when, to my surprise, Isaw the pirate schooner sailing away almost hull-down on the horizon! On seeing this I uttered a shout of joy.Then my first impulse was to dive back to tell my companions the good news; but Ichecked myself, and ran to the top of the cliff, in order to make sure that the vessel I saw was indeed the pirate schooner.Ilooked long and anxiously at her, and, giving vent to a deep sigh of relief, said aloud, "Yes, there she goes; the villains have been baulked of their prey this time at least.""Not so sure of that!" said a deep voice at my side; while, at the same moment, a heavy hand grasped my shoulder, and held it as if in a vice.