ouldn't
be able to catch fish."

"What? You don't suppose fish would be such scaly idiots as to come
into a hole like this?"

"Perhaps not, but I believe they'd be shelly idiots enough. I shouldn't
be a bit surprised, if we had a lobster or crab pot thrown out here, if
we caught some fine ones."

"Set one, then," said the midshipman, sourly. "Perhaps there is one."

"Not likely," replied Aleck. "Never mind, let's make the best of what
we've got and be thankful."

"No, that I won't," cried his companion. "I'll make the best of what
we've got as much as you like, but I must draw the line somewhere--I
won't be thankful."

"I will," said Aleck, good-temperedly; "thankful enough for both."

"Come on," said the midshipman, gruffly.

"Wait a moment till I've coiled up the line loosely. We may want it,
and it must be hung up to dry."

This was done, and then after noting that the water was growing deeper
in the direction of the sea entrance, the pair made their way right
round by the head, stopped at the spring to have a hearty drink, and
then pressed on, lanthorn in hand, to their resting-place, where,
thoroughly upset by his adventure, the midshipman grumbled at everything
till Aleck burst into a hearty laugh.

"Hallo!" cried his companion, eagerly; "let's have it. Got a bright
idea as to how to get out?"

"No," said Aleck, "I was laughing at the comic way in which you keep on
finding fault."

"Humph! Well, I have been going it rather, haven't I?"

"Doing nothing else but growl."

"That's the worst of having a nasty temper. Don't do a bit of good
either, does it?"

"Not a bit," said Aleck. "Makes things still worse."

"Think so?"

Aleck nodded.

"Yes, I suppose you're right. I'll drop it then. Now, then, what do
you say to having a good long snooze?"

"I'm willing," said Aleck, "for I'm thoroughly tired out."

"Put out the light then. My word, what a good thing sleep is!" said the
midshipman, after they had lain in silence for a few minutes. "Makes
you able to forget all your troubles."

There was a pause, and then the midshipman began:

"I say it makes you able to forget all your troubles, doesn't it?"

Still silence.

"Don't you hear what I say?"

No answer.

"Hanged if he isn't asleep! How a fellow can be such a dormouse-headed
animal at a time like this I don't know."

He ought to have known, a minute later, for he was lying upon his back,
fast asleep and breathing hard