Now, look
here, Ladle, don't be stupid. I'm as sure as sure that we are going
right after all, and all we've got to do is to go straight on."

"And I'm sure that we ought to go back."

"I shan't go back!"

"And I shan't go forward!" cried Mike angrily.

"All right, then: I shan't go back. Only mind how you go, old chap:
those places where we had to creep down are rather awkward, and you may
take the skin off your nose."

"What do you mean by that?" cried Mike.

"Only that I've got the candle," said Vince, laughing. "I'll come and
see you to-morrow, and bring you something to eat, for you'll never find
your way out again in the dark."

"But I'm not going in the dark, old clever!" cried Mike, snatching the
lanthorn suddenly from his companion. "How now?"

"So how!" cried Vince, springing at him, and seizing the light structure
of tin and horn.

Then there was a sharp struggle, the two lads swaying here and there in
the narrow place, till Vince flung his companion heavily against the
wall, giving him so violent a jar as he clung to the lanthorn that the
candle was jumped out of its socket, fell over against the side, and
before the boys could even think of getting the door open, the light
flashed upon their startled faces and went out.

"You've done it now," cried Mike, in a dolorous tone.

"Oh, come, I like that," said Vince. "Who snatched the lanthorn away?
Wait till we get out, and you'll see what I'll give you."

"Get out the tinder-box quickly," said Mike.

"What for? Suppose I want you to snatch it away? I'm going on in the
dark, same as you're going back."

"Don't be an idiot," cried Mike, who was growing desperate. "Get out
the tinder-box and strike a light."

"Good-night," replied Vince tauntingly; "I'm off. Shall I tell them
you'll be home to-morrow?"

For answer Mike sprang at him and grasped him tightly.

"No, you don't play me that trick," he cried. "Get out that tinder-box
at once."

"Not I," cried Vince.

"Get out that tinder-box at once!"

"Do you want to make me savage?" growled Vince. "I don't care what I
make you now," cried Mike. "You're going to strike a light, so that we
can find our way out."

"I'm not going to strike a light and go back to please you, Ladle, and
so I tell you," said Vince, holding his companion at arm's length, with
his teeth set, and a strong desire rising in him to double his fists and
strike. "Give me the flint and steel," cried Mike fier