it?" shouted the captain.

"Not yet. I'm obliged to rest a minute."

"Oh dear! oh dear me!" panted Captain Roby in a tone of voice that
seemed to suggest other words which indicated his idea that the young
subaltern was very awkward.

"Got it at last!" came up. "I think so. Yes, I have him tight--right
past his arms; he can't slip. Now, haul!"

"Haul!" echoed Captain Roby. "Quick!"

But Sergeant James knew better than that. The rope had to pass through
his cautious hands, and he raised it gently.

"All right, sir?" he asked.

"Yes; haul," cried Lennox. "You have him now. Right; you're lifting
him right off. I'll hold on to the rock. Be sharp, for it's a very
awkward--"

The young subaltern's words were cut short at that moment by a most
horrible, unearthly-sounding yell; for the tightening of the rope about
the unfortunate corporal, and the steady strain as he was lifted from
where he had lain so long, had the effect of arousing his dormant
energies. Not realising that he was being helped, he had no sooner
uttered his cry of horror than, as if suddenly galvanised into life, he
began to struggle violently, tearing, kicking, and catching at something
to hold on to for dear life.

Unfortunately, and consequent upon the slow way in which the rope was
being drawn up, the first thing his right hand came in contact with was
one of Lennox's arms, round which his fingers fastened as if they were
of steel. The next moment his right hand was joined by his left and he
clung desperately, dragging the young officer from the slippery edge of
rock, and before Lennox could raise a hand to help himself and hold on
in turn, and cling desperately in the hope that after all perhaps the
rope might bear them both, the corporal's spasmodic clasp ended as
quickly as it came. Those at the top felt the strain on the rope less,
and those who were gazing down unoccupied saw the light suddenly
extinguished, heard a terrible, echoing splash, followed by suckings and
whisperings that seemed as if they would have no end.

For Lennox did not rise again, the rush of water bearing him rapidly
down into the very bowels of the cavernous mass of rock.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

THE CORPORAL RELATES.

The party at the head of the cavern stood for a few moments perfectly
motionless, listening to the dying away of the strange gurglings and
whispering echoes which followed the heavy splash, and then Dickenson
uttered a wild cry of horr