he same position. But _would_ it
come to the same point again on the morrow? I knew it could not, and
that the least deflection from its course that day would allow no ray
to fall into the darkness of that mysterious dungeon. I knew, further,
that it was either morning or evening, about nine or three o'clock, by
the direction of the beam of light. This fact was immensely
encouraging; my heart throbbed rapidly; the blood came tingling to the
finger-ends; I felt a warmth, an energy, a hope, an animation of
spirits I had not known for a long time. It had all along been but one
unending night, when often I would wonder whether, outside, under the
broad blue sky, it was then night or day; but now I knew that it was
day.

I soon reached the passage which I had seen ahead of me, and found it
in some places not more than two or three feet wide. The ascent became
steeper, though not at all difficult, except at one place, where for
about ten yards I was obliged to use both hands and feet to make sure
of not slipping back.

About two hours after passing this point the air seemed to change;
there was a warmth and fragrance to it which was very grateful; I
fancied also that I could see somewhat indistinctly.

"Surely," I thought, "this seems like coming to daylight."

Warmer and sweeter grew the air; I could see the wall of rock on my
right; and then I suddenly encountered a volume of air blown toward me,
as if the sweetest perfumes of the earth were mingled in that breath of
air. I knew I was coming to the light! Another turn, and there before
me were the grand snow-capped mountains suffused with the last rosy
flush of the setting sun!

[Illustration: "WE SAW HIM CLIMBING THROUGH A SQUARE OPENING OF LIGHT."
[SEE PAGE 292.]]

Oh, indescribable glory!

For a moment, my eyes swept over the horizon,--I was far above the
earth,--then back to the beauteous snow in its sunset splendor. The
rosy tinges lifted and vanished, and a cool twilight glow rested on the
mountain summits. I looked upon the plain below. Far beneath, it lay in
the evening shadow with its thousand fading tints of tropic foliage,
with one spot of blue, almost immediately below, in all that mass of
verdure--the lake. I knew then that I was almost exactly above the cave
I had so long inhabited. And Pippity--Grilly--were they there now?

I was about to call with all my might; but what ear could hear at that
great distance?

Three thousand feet at least of spa