erta even dropped a tear or two quietly to their memory, for,
as she remarked, by way of explanation or excuse, "dey wasn't all so bad
as each oder."

However, she soon recovered her composure, and while Sam Shipton
returned to the shore to fetch their comrades to the cave, she told
Robin, among other things, that the pirates had brought Letta to the
island two years before, along with a large quantity of booty, but that
she did not know where she came from, or to whom she belonged.

Sam Shipton resolved to give his comrades the full benefit of the
surprise in store, therefore, on returning to them, he merely said that
he had left Robin in a rather curious place in the interior, where they
had discovered both food and drink in abundance, and that he had come to
conduct them to it.

By that time the seaman whom they had rescued had recovered
considerably, and was able to walk with assistance, though still rather
confused in his mind and disposed to be silent. At first he expressed a
desire to be left to sleep where he was, but on being told that the
place they were going to was not far-off and that he would be able to
rest longer and much more comfortably there than where he was, he braced
himself up and accompanied them, leaning on Sam and Jim Slagg as he
staggered along.

Need it be said that both Slagg and Stumps shouted with surprise when
they came suddenly in sight of the garden; that they lost the power of
utterance on beholding Robin holding familiar converse with an old hag,
a blind man, and a small angel; and that they all but fell down on
entering the pirate's cave?

No, it need not be said; let us pass, therefore, to the next scene in
this amazing drama.

Of course Robin had prepared the inhabitants of the garden for the
arrival of his friends. He had also learned that the pirates, in the
hurry of departure, had not only left everything lying about, but had
left the key of their treasure-cave in the lock. Old Meerta offered to
show him the contents, but Robin determined to await the arrival of his
friends before examining the place.

When Slagg and Stumps had breakfasted, and the sailor had been laid on a
comfortable couch, where he immediately fell fast asleep, Robin pulled
the key of the treasure-cave out of his pocket and asked his comrades to
follow him. Wondering at the request, they did so.

The cave referred to lay at the inner extremity of the banqueting
cavern, and was guarded by a massi