t, in spite of his determination,
seemed to be an awful chasm.

But he had no time to think, for directly he touched the shaley floor,
the rope was drawn up, and almost directly after, he was hastily taking
from the rope the burdens which it bore, while, to his surprise,
Scarlett came next.

"You?" said Fred in his wonder.

"Yes; I thought I could help most here; and it seemed so terrible a
place for you to be alone."

"Scar!" whispered Fred, quickly, as a thought struck him, due to
Samson's general forethought, "open those bundles, and see if there is
anything to get a light."

Sir Godfrey was lowered down, and when Fred was helping Nat to sink
gently on the flooring of the cave, the sharp clicking of flint and
steel fell upon his ears, and soon after the gloomy place was illumined
by a candle stuck in a niche of the rock.

"I wouldn't be longer than 'bout an hour, Master Fred, sir," came down
the opening. "We may as well get back safe if we can."

Fred answered, and then set to work, to find that the forethought of
those at the Manor had provided ample store for the prisoners; and if
ever wine was welcome to man, it was to the sufferers lying exhausted
there upon the shaley bed of the cave.

"As soon as I am up," said Fred at last, "I shall throw down the rope,
and with the light you can explore the lower part of the cave, and see
what means there are of getting to the mouth; for sooner or later a boat
and men shall come to take you both where you will. Now, Scar Markham,
God bless you, and good-bye!"

Fred had previously bidden Sir Godfrey farewell. Nat had sunk into the
sleep of exhaustion long before, and now he stood grasping Scarlett's
hands in his.

"Some day," said the latter, sadly, "this war must end, and then we may
meet again."

"And not till then, Scar, for I can--I must do no more. Good-bye."

He snatched his hands from the grasp that held them, caught hold of the
rope, and calling up to Samson, in another minute he was half-way up,
but only to call down to Scarlett--

"Have no fear about supplies; there are those not far away who will see
that you have all you want."

There was no reply, for in his weakness and misery Scarlett Markham had
thrown himself upon his face, and lay for hours almost without moving,
and till long after the light had burned out, and the faint bluish dawn
rose from the chasm below.

Meanwhile Fred had reached the top, lowered down the rope till its
weight