f the cliff.

"I vote we have a look and see where the cave leads to," said Bill,
taking up a long piece of fir-wood which burnt like a torch.

Jack provided himself with another of a similar character, and, by
waving them about, they found that they could keep them alight. They
also took one of their candles and their match-box in case their torches
should go out.

Having raked their fire together, so that it might serve as a beacon to
assist them in their return, they set out.

The ground rose as they had before supposed when they explored it in the
dark, but the roof continued of the same height above it.

Suddenly Jack started.

"What is that?" he exclaimed, seizing his companion's arm. "There's a
man! or is it a ghost? Oh Bill!"

CHAPTER TEN.

DISCOVERY OF THE SMUGGLERS' TREASURE.

Bill waved his torch on one side and peered forward. "It looks like a
man, but it doesn't move. It's only a figure, Jack," he answered. "I'm
not afraid of it. Come on! we'll soon see what it is."

Jack was ashamed of lagging behind, and accompanied him.

The object which had frightened Jack was soon discovered to be merely a
stalactite--a mass of hardened water. Similar formations now appeared
on both sides of the cavern, some hanging from the roof, others in the
form of pillars and arches; indeed, the whole cavern looked like the
interior of a Gothic building in ruins.

Other figures still more strange were seen, as if starting out from
recesses or doorways on both sides.

"Well! this is a strange place. I never saw or heard of anything like
it," exclaimed Jack, when he found how harmless all the ghosts really
were.

In many places the roof and sides shone and glittered as if covered with
precious stones. Even Bill began to fancy that they had got into some
enchanted cavern. The ground was covered in most places with the same
substance, and so rough that they could make but slow progress.

They were about to turn back for fear of their torches going out when
they reached a low archway. Curiosity prompted them to enter, which
they could do by stooping down. After going a short distance they found
themselves in a still larger cavern, almost circular, like a vast hall,
the roof and sides ornamented by nature in the same curious fashion,
though still more profusely.

"It won't do to stop here," said Bill, "but we'll come back again and
have another look at it with fresh torches. Hallo! what's that?"