ve effects of the sea, and of the
elements in the water and in the rock. As these rocks are limestone
formations, we may be able to see some beautiful decorations within, if
the cave is of any extent."
"It is awful dark in there. I wish we hadn't forgotten the candles," he
said, as he glanced at the Professor, who seemed to be quite absorbed in
examining the rocks.
"Don't you think we had better go in?"
"I should like to do so, but we haven't any candles."
"I thought you came here for the purpose of examining the cave?"
"So we did."
"And came without making any preparations for it?" As he said this he
drew out one of the small candles which they had been making and using
for their evening work and recreation.
George and Harry were both very much ashamed of their carelessness. The
Professor, on the other hand, did not make another remark on the
subject. No doubt the silent rebuke was a lesson they would retain much
better than if it should be more forcibly presented.
The boys, be it said to their credit, never resented any word or action
on the part of the Professor. They had only love and veneration for him;
and the Professor, by his constant attitude toward them, showed that
even these careless actions or any other examples of thoughtlessness on
the part of the boys, were part of the training that would teach lessons
of value.
Below the mouth of the cave were little streams of water which looked
like springs, and the Professor was of the opinion that the floor or
interior of the cave must be lower than the entrance.
"Why do you think so?" was the inquiry.
"The springs below seem to indicate that when the high tide fills the
cave, the bottom of the cave leaks enough to let out the water. The
height of the mouth from the normal level of the water is much above the
usual high tide level of the water, and it is only when there is an
abnormally high tide, as on the day that George saw it, when the cave
could be filled with water."
"Who will go in first?" said George. "I have no objection to taking the
lead; so here goes."
George moved forward cautiously, holding the candle, and Harry followed
with another. The opening was fully ten feet high, and at least that
much in width, but irregularly formed. They went in straight for twenty
feet or more, when George announced that he had reached a wall. The
Professor, who was in the rear, called out: "Look to the right, there is
a turn here."
Such was
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