o," said the middy, despondently.

"Yes, there is. As the lanthorn's alight, let's go and have a try at
the zigzag."

The middy followed his companion without a word, and they both climbed
up wearily and hopelessly to have another desperate try to dislodge the
stones, but only to prove that it was an impossible task.

Literally wearied out, they descended, after being compelled to desist
by the candle gradually failing, while it had gone right out in the
socket before they reached the cave.

But their utter despondency was a little checked by the sight of the
soft pale light which seemed to rise from the water more clearly than
ever before; and Aleck said so, but the middy was of the opposite
opinion.

"No," he said. "It only seems so after the horrible darkness of that
hole."

"I don't know," said Aleck; "it certainly looks brighter to me. See how
clear the arch looks with the seaweed waving about! I say, sailor, I've
a great mind to have another try."

"No, you haven't," growled the middy, wearily. "I can't spare you. I'm
not going to stop here and die all alone."

"You wouldn't, for I should drag you out after me."

"Couldn't do it after you were drowned."

"I shouldn't be drowned," said Aleck, slowly and thoughtfully.

"Be quiet--don't bother--I'm so tired--regularly beat out after all that
trying up yonder; and so are you. I say, Aleck, I'm beginning to be
afraid that we shall never see the sunshine again."

Aleck said nothing, but lay gazing sadly at the dimly-seen arch in the
water, and followed the waving to and fro of the great fronds of
sea-wrack, till he shuddered once or twice and seemed to feel them
clinging round his head and neck, making it dark, but somehow without
causing the horrible, strangling, helpless sensation he had suffered
from before. In fact, it seemed to be pleasant and restful, and by
degrees produced a sensation of coolness that was most welcome after the
stifling heat at the top of the zigzag, which had been made worse by the
odour of the burning candle.

Then Aleck ceased to think, but lay in the cool, soft darkness, till all
at once he started up sitting and wondering.

"Why, I've been asleep," he said to himself. "Here, sailor."

"Yes; what was that?"

"I don't know. I seemed to hear something."

"Have you been asleep?"

"Yes; have you?"

"I think so," said the middy. "We must have been. But, I say, it
really is much lighter this time."

"So I tho