e temptation of playing us a trick, and
trying to frighten us out of our wits. Some years ago, also, Myers was
in my custody, and I treated him, as I should any fellow-creature, with
some kindness and consideration. I spoke to him seriously, and
endeavoured to win him from his evil courses. I did not consider myself
either as his judge or executioner. Perhaps, therefore, gratitude may
have induced him to spare our lives."

"I have no doubt of it," said I. "I have to thank you, therefore,
uncle, for my life."

"I don't suppose they would have hurt you, Neil, had you been alone," he
observed, laughing.

"Do you think that we shall be able to discover the cavern?" I asked.

"I fear not," he replied. "Even if we did, it would be emptied of its
contents. Depend on it, the smugglers were prepared to carry off
everything into the interior, and all the valuable goods are by this
time a long way on their road to London. At all events, whatever were
the motives of the smugglers, let us offer our thanks to God for the
preservation of our lives, for they have been in great peril."

We knelt and prayed. I hope I did so sincerely. What other remarks he
made I do not remember, for I soon after this felt very drowsy, and
quickly fell asleep. I dreamed all the time that I was tumbling head
over heels down precipices, but never reached the ground. So I shall
end this chapter at the bottom of a chalk-pit.

CHAPTER SIX.

WE GET OUT OF THE PIT--JACK STRETCHER'S ADVENTURE--SEARCH FOR MYERS--
HANKS' ADVICE--LOSE OUR SHIP IN A FOG--MINUTE-GUNS HEARD.

I was awoke by my uncle, and looking up, I saw that the stars had grown
dim, and that the rosy dawn was rapidly spreading over the sky. When
there was sufficient light to enable us to see distinctly, we discovered
that we were in an unusually large and deep chalk-pit. We had, however,
but little difficulty in climbing out of it, and in reaching the top of
the down in which it was situated. What was our surprise, on looking
seaward, to discover the cutter riding at anchor below us, and the boats
just going off to her! We therefore went to the most conspicuous
height, and waved our caps and handkerchiefs, in the hopes that some one
might by chance be on the look-out with a telescope, and perceive us.
We waited for some time, and were just giving up the case in despair,
when one of the boats put off from the cutter, and pulled directly for
the beach, above which we were