hes, Peterkin; quick, strike a light. It is getting
late," said Jack.

In another moment a light was struck, and with it we kindled three
goodly-sized torches with which we had provided ourselves. Holding
these high over our heads, we entered the cavern--Jack first, Peterkin
second, I next, and the terrified negro in rear.

We had scarcely entered, and were peering upwards at the black vault
overhead, when an indescribable rushing sound filled the air of the
cavern, and caused the flame of our torches to flicker with such
violence that we could not see any object distinctly. We all came to a
sudden pause, and I confess that at that moment a feeling of
superstitious dread chilled the blood in my veins. Before we could
discover the cause of this strange effect, several large black objects
passed through the air near our heads with a peculiar muffled noise.
Next instant the three torches were extinguished.

Unable to command himself any longer, the negro uttered a cry of terror
and turned to fly; but Jack, whose wits seemed always prepared for any
emergency, had foreseen the probability of this, and springing quickly
after him, threw his arms round his neck and effectually prevented his
running away.

The noise caused by the scuffle seemed to arouse the fury of all the
evil spirits of the place, for a perfect hurricane of whirring sounds
raged around us for a few seconds.

"It's only bats," cried Jack.--"Look alive, Peterkin; another light."

In a few seconds the torches were rekindled, and we advanced into the
cavern; and Mak, after recovering from his fright and learning the cause
thereof, became much bolder. The cave was about a hundred yards deep by
about fifty wide; but we could not ascertain its height, for the light
of our torches failed to penetrate the deep gloom overhead. It was
divided into two natural chambers, the outer being large, the inner
small--a mere recess, in fact. In this latter we planted our torches,
and proceeded with our hasty preparations. Peterkin was ready first.
We endeavoured to make ourselves as like to the natives in all respects
as possible; and when I looked at my companions, I was obliged to
confess that, except in the full blaze of the torch-light, I could not
discern any point of difference between them and our guide.

"Now then, Jack," said Peterkin, "as you're not quite ready and I am, I
shall employ myself in preparing a little plan of my own which I intend
to put in