er, and his voice sounded like an angry growl
between his set teeth. "Promise--a chap--a box--and then--going to take
it with yer. Yer would, would yer? But yer just won't."

"Let me take my skin, then," cried Wriggs. "Don't tear it all off," as
he winced beneath the savage grip which checked his descent.

"Nay I weant, mate," growled Smith. "I wants it, too, and hold tight,
Billy, the deck's giving way. Heave ho!"

Smith threw himself backward as he made a tremendous heave, and none too
soon, for a great patch of the earth at the side gave way where he
stood. But he had thrown all a strong man's force into one mighty
effort, and as Drew stood trembling and helpless, he saw the two men
clasped in each other's arms, rolling over and over into safety, just as
a horrible fume rose from the rift which now ran on in a zigzag split,
like a flash of lightning in shape, and as rapid. Then followed a sharp
report as of subterranean thunder and the earth closed again.

"Would yer bite--would yer bite!" grumbled Wriggs, as he stared at the
earth.

"Well, of all the onsartain dangerous places as ever I was in," said
Smith, in a low growl, "this here's about the worst."

"Ay, 'tis mate," said Wriggs. "Sea's safest arter all. I say, though,"
he continued as he softly rubbed himself about the ribs, "might ha' took
hold of a fellow a bit easier, Tommy. You've made me feel all loose."

"Sarve yer right, chucking yerself down like that. Why, if it hadn't
been for me, you'd ha' been nipped fast there. Now, then, where's that
there 'bacco-box? Hand over."

"Nay, I said I'd leave it to yer, mate. I was making o' my will. Going
to use it a bit longer, mate, but I'll give yer a quid."

"What an escape, my lads," panted Drew, who now came up and shook hands
with them both warmly.

"Well, it weer pretty close, sir," said Wriggs, as he went on gently
rubbing his sides. "But I'm beginning to think as Tommy Smith had
better ha' left me alone. His fingers is as hard as a brass statoo's.
But there, mate, I forgives yer. How's the gents, sir?"

Drew shook his head, and after the mate and Panton had been carried some
little distance from where the earth had split open and re-closed, the
party seated themselves in a despondent state to watch the golden cloud
which hung high in air, like a huge ball of liquid fire, and lit up the
place while they waited for morn.

Panton and Mr Rimmer both seemed to be sleeping heavily, a