es beneath their feet. But though they
pressed on, seeking hard for some sign of the lad having passed there,
nothing was seen; so, when the half-hour was well up, they turned their
heads in the other direction, vainly trying to make out where he could
have gone, and still scanning every stone and rift overhead for signs.

"I hope Johannes has had better fortune," said the captain as they
neared the entrance.

"I hope so; he would be back at the fire long before now," replied the
doctor; but hardly had he spoken when a loud hail came echoing down the
gully. They sent an echoing reply, and hurried their paces.

"One hardly likes to shout here," said the doctor; "the echoes are so
weird and strange, they seem quite to answer you."

"Better if Steve would answer," said the captain drily. "You said a
time back you wished we had not brought him to-day. I honestly wish now
that I had not brought him at all. Well, Johannes?"

There was no need to speak. The heavy, solemn face of the Norseman told
that he had seen nothing, and they went back to the fire in silence.

There was a pleasant odour to a hungry man out in the open, that of
frizzling meat, as they approached the fire; but the strange
disappearance of their young companion took away all appetite, and
Watty, who was smiling with satisfaction at the success of the collops
he had been cooking upon skewers of wood, as _chef_ of the _al-fresco_
kitchen, saw with intense disappointment that the captain and those with
him contented themselves with taking a couple of ship's biscuits each,
and then turning away to confer as to what ought to be done.

"We cannot go back to the ship without him," said the captain.

"No," cried Johannes.

"Do you think he is playing us some trick?" said the doctor.

"Trick?"

"I mean hiding away, and will turn up directly."

"No, he would not be so wanting in common sense," said the captain
sternly. "What pleasure could he find in so inane a prank?"

"None. I ought not to have said such a thing. He would not, of
course."

"No," said Johannes decisively. "Is it possible, gentlemen, that he may
have gone on, after putting the fire ready, so as to reach the boat?"

"I can see no reason."

"You did not give him any order, sir--one that you have forgotten?"

"No, certainly not," said the captain; and Johannes was silent, waiting
for his superior to make some suggestion, the captain being very
thoughtful as he stood there wi