sing rush of the water far
below, till suddenly there was a sharp bang, the lantern was nearly
knocked out of its holder's hand, and Dickenson yelled, "Oh Gemini!"

They were in utter darkness once more.

"Bah!" cried Roby. "How careless!"

"Burned down to my fingers," said Dickenson coolly out of the black
darkness. "Do you know, I don't believe a bullet going into you hurts a
bit more than being burned like that."

"For goodness' sake strike another match, Mr Dickenson," cried the
captain angrily.

"Fumbling for it now, sir. Doesn't seem as if there are any more. Yes,
here's one little joker hiding in a corner. Got him!"

_Scr-r-r-itch_! went the little match, and flashed into a bright flame
which formed an arch in the air and disappeared down the yawning pit.

"Why, you left go!" cried Captain Roby.

"No wonder if I did, after burning my fingers so," grumbled Dickenson;
"but I didn't, for I've got the wax here. Top jumped off."

Then there was a tinkling sound as he shook the little silver box he
held.

"Hurrah!" he cried. "Here's one more. Ready with that lantern, my
lad?"

"Yes, sir."

"Take the lamp out and let me try if I can get the wick up with the
pricker before I strike the match."

The men's breathing could be heard as they stood, with every nerve on
the strain, listening to the scraping, scratching sound made in the
excitement and dread caused by the horrible darkness; for there was not
a man present, from officer to the youngest private, who had much faith
that they would find the way back to the mouth of the cavern.

"For goodness' sake mind you don't drop the match, Mr Dickenson," said
the captain suddenly.

"Trust me, sir," said Dickenson coolly.--"Ah, would you slip back into
the paraffin. Come out," he continued, apostrophising the wick he was
pricking at. "Phew! How nasty it makes one's fingers smell! Bravo!
Got him at last."

"Tut, tut, tut!" ejaculated the captain impatiently.

"Wait till I've opened the wick a little more. That's it! Here, what
am I to wipe my fingers on?"

"Oh, never mind your fingers, man," cried Captain Roby.

"But they're quite slippery, sir."

"Rub 'em on my sleeve, sir," growled Sergeant James.

"Thankye, sergeant, but I've just polished them on my own."

_Click! click_! went the lamp as it was thrust back into the lantern,
and there was once more the sound of men drawing their breath hard--a
sound that was checked suddenly as the l