ot six feet apart; but how far the great crack-like
place extended they could not see, the light penetrating but a little
distance, and then all was black darkness, out of which, from far below,
there came up the murmuring, gurgling rush of the running water.

As for the lantern, as soon as it was lowered down it ceased swinging,
coming with a sharp tap against smooth rock which went downward in a
pretty regular slope, but so steep that the lantern lay upon its side
and glided down as fast as the men could pay out the rope.

"I sha'n't have length enough, I'm afraid, sir," said the sergeant, who
leaned over the edge.

"Then why didn't you bring more?" cried the captain angrily.

The sergeant was silent, and _grate! grate! grate_! the lantern went on
down over the rock face, which sparkled with moisture, for an
exceedingly thin sheet of water glistened and went on wearing it down as
it probably had from the time the great kopje cavern was formed.

But still there was no sign of the missing man--nothing but glistening
rock, and beyond that darkness.

"How much more rope have you?" said the sergeant in a whisper.

"'Bout a dozen feet," said the man who was passing it to him from
behind.

"Swing the lantern to and fro," cried the captain sharply.

"It won't swing, sir," replied the sergeant. "If I try, it will only
roll over on to its face."

"Never mind; you haven't tried. Now swing it," cried Roby.

"Bottom," cried the sergeant, for the lantern stopped short, and down
beneath it there was a flash and a quivering reflection, showing that it
was close to the flowing water.

"What is it resting on?" said Lennox eagerly, for he had forgotten the
snub he had received and was all eagerness to help. "I didn't hear it
click on rock."

"Just what I was thinking, sir," replied the sergeant, lifting the
suspended lantern again and letting it descend once more.

"I wish to goodness, Mr Lennox, that you would not keep on
interfering," cried Captain Roby angrily.--"Now, sergeant, what do you
make out?"

"Rests on something soft, sir. No; it's hit against something hard.
Why, it's metal--a buckle."

"I know," cried Lennox, forgetting himself again. "You've lowered it
right down on to the poor fellow, and he's above the water."

"Mr--" began the captain angrily, but his words were drowned in the
hearty cheer given by the men.--"Silence!" cried Captain Roby, and
leaning over, he shouted down the horrible-looking