re's no getting along there."

"Lucky you hadn't let go," said Mike sympathetically. "Good job we
found out as we have. It might have been much worse."

"Worse? Why, I nearly went right in. And then I should have been
sucked down. Ugh!"

Vince shuddered; but the colour began to come naturally again into his
cheeks, and after a bit he laughed as they waded back into the cavern--
being particularly careful, though, in spite of the roughness, to plant
their feet on the pieces of shell-dotted stone beneath the surface.

"Yes, it's all very well to laugh," said Mike, in an ill-used tone; "but
you're always running risks and getting into some hobble."

"Not such a good little boy as you, Ladle. You never do wrong, and--
There, see what you've done now!" cried Vince, as he stood now in the
soft, dry sand, and nestled his feet in it to take the place of a towel.

"What have I done now?"

"Come down and left the candle burning. I know you did; and it will
have burned into the socket and melted it. How will you like going back
in the dark?"

Mike stared at him aghast.

"You did forget, now, didn't you?"

"You never told me to put it out."

"I didn't tell you to eat your dinner to-day, did I?"

"No; but--"

"Where's your common sense? Now we shall have to go all through that
dark hole like a couple of worms."

"No, we shan't," cried Mike. "I've got common sense enough to know you
said you had some bits of candle in your pocket."

"Humph!" grunted Vince, whose eyes were wandering in all directions
about the beautiful cave. "What's the good of candles without something
to stick them in? That socket's melted off, I know."

"Soon manage that," said Mike, picking up a large whorled shell.
"There's a natural candlestick; and if we hadn't found that, our fists
would have done, or we could have stuck the candle on to the lanthorn
with some of the grease."

"My word, he is a clever old Ladle!" cried Vince jeeringly. "I say,
isn't this dry sand jolly for your legs? Mine are as right as can be."

"Capital," said Mike, who was pulling on his grey knitted socks. "I
say, though, we have found out a place. I vote we come often."

"Yes," said Vince. "After a bit we shall be able to step through that
dark hole as easily as can be."

"Yes, and in half the time. It's all very well to bounce, but it was
queer work coming down."

"I don't bounce, Ladle; I felt squirmy enough. Of course you couldn't
help fe