ed around, and having brought a supply of light-wood
splinters with which to make torches, they each lighted one of these,
and began a careful search for further evidences of the missing boy.

A shout from Jan brought them to him, and he showed the broken fire-pan
which he had just picked up.

A little farther search revealed the deep imprints of the horse's hoofs
when he had plunged and reared as the burning brands fell on his back;
and then, step by step, often losing it, but recovering it again, they
followed the trail until they came upon the rifle lying on the ground,
cold and wet with the night dew.

Mr. March, holding his torch high above his head, took a step in
advance of the others as they were examining the rifle, and uttered a
cry of horror.

"A sink-hole! Good heavens! the boy is down there!"

A cold chill went through his hearers at these words, and they gathered
close to the edge of the opening and peered into its black depths.

"We must know beyond a doubt whether or not he is down there before we
leave this place," said Mr. Elmer, with forced composure, "and we must
have a rope. Frank, you know the way better than any of us, and can go
quickest. Ride for your life back to the house, and bring that Manila
line you used to catch the alligator with. Don't let his mother hear
you--a greater suspense would kill her."

While Frank was gone the others carefully examined the "sink hole," and
cut away the bushes and vines from around its edges. It was an
irregular opening, about twenty feet across, and a short distance below
the surface had limestone sides.

Begging the others to be perfectly quiet, Mr. Elmer lay down on the
ground, and reaching as far over the edge as he dared, called,

"Mark! my boy! Mark!" but there was no answer. Still Mr. Elmer
listened, and when he rose to his feet he said,

"March, it seems as though I heard the sound of running water down
there. Listen, and tell me if you hear it. If it is so, my boy is dead!"

Mr. March lay down and listened, and the others held their breath.
"Yes," he said, "I hear it. Oh, my poor friend, I fear there is no
hope."

The first faint streaks of day were showing in the east when Frank
returned with the rope and an additional supply of torches.

"Now let me down there," said Mr. Elmer, preparing to fasten the rope
around him, "and God help me if I find the dead body of my boy."

"No," said Frank, "let me go. He saved my life, and I am the li