ous place, around the walls of
which great jagged rocks made recesses of impenetrable gloom. With one
arm outstretched, feeling his way, and with his precious staff secured
against his back within his blanket, Pedro paused in such a recess
just in time, for the dwarf had struck a match and lighted a lantern.
This he swung round his head, peering in each direction, and blinded,
maybe, by the very rays with which he sought to disclose any possible
follower. Satisfied that he was alone, Ferd moved onward again, and
Pedro followed, hugging the chamber wall and screening himself in
every shadow.

But Ferd had no longer any fear of discovery or any thought of aught
save that which lay before him. The passage was higher now and he
could easily stand upright; the Indian also rising to his feet, though
he had to bow his head lest it should brush the ceiling.

The dwarf began to talk aloud, to himself, apparently; but after a
moment of this muttering, grew silent again. He had come to the mouth
of a black pit which seemed to descend into great depths. In reality
the depth was not so great; yet to anyone within it escape was
impossible without help from above. Into this hole Ferd peered,
holding the lantern so that its rays fell straight downward, and
calling in a jeering voice:

"Is the 'captain' ready yet?"

"Oh, Ferd! good Ferd! Please, please let me out!" answered a voice
that thrilled old Pedro's heart with joy.

"All right. The money first."

"But I have no money. You must help me up!"

"Down there safe. Is you hungry?"

"No, Ferd. The food you took out of Aunt Sally's pantry kept me from
that."

The dwarf threw himself backward, on the rocky floor above, and
laughed loudly, yet his mirth was shortlived. Pedro's hand was on his
throat before a movement had been heard, and Pedro's voice was calling
into the pit:

"Here am I, Sunny Face. Wait. I come."

During all the hours of her imprisonment, Jessica's courage had not
faltered, but, at the sound of that blessed cry, it suddenly gave way
and she burst into a paroxysm of sobs and tears, which effectually
prevented her hearing the struggle that ensued in the gloom between
the shepherd and the hunchback. For though the lantern had not been
extinguished, as it rolled from its owner's hand, it had fallen upon
its one glass side and gave no light.

For a time, even the Indian feared the issue of that battle in the
dark and the abnormal strength of the dwarf's long