settled by Larry, who discovered a few crumbs of
the biscuit lying on the rock, and footprints leading up the ravine; for
the captain, worthy man, had stepped recklessly into the little stream
when he went to fill his pannikin, and his wet feet left a distinct
track behind him for some distance.

"He can't have gone far up such a wild place as this," said Tom Collins,
while they moved cautiously along. "Kindle the torch, Ned, it will
light us on our way, and be a guide to the captain if he's within
sight."

"It will enlighten enemies, too, if any are within range," replied Ned,
hesitating.

"Oh, no fear," rejoined Tom, "our greatest enemy is darkness; here,
Jones, hand me your match-box."

In a few seconds the torch flared forth, casting a broad glare of light
on their path, as they advanced, examining the foot of precipices.

"Give a shout, Larry," said Ned.

Larry obeyed, and all listened intently, but, save the echo from the
wild cliffs, no reply was heard.

Had the captain been wide-awake at the time, he would, doubtless, have
heard the friendly shout, but his ears were dull from prolonged
watching. It was thought needless to repeat the cry, so the party
resumed their search with anxious forebodings in their hearts, though
their lips were silent.

They had not proceeded far, however, when the noise occasioned by the
captain's fall from the tree, as already described, struck upon their
ears.

"Och! what's that?" exclaimed Larry, with a look of mingled surprise and
superstitious fear.

For a minute the party seemed transformed into statues, as each listened
intently to the mysterious sounds.

"They come from the other side of the point ahead," remarked Ned, in a
whisper. "Light another torch, Larry, and come on--quick!"

Ned led the way at a run, holding one of the torches high above his
head, and in a few minutes passed round the point above referred to.
The glare of his torch immediately swept far ahead, and struck with
gladsome beam on the now wakeful eye of the captain, who instantly
greeted it with one of his own peculiarly powerful and eminently
nautical roars.

"Hooroo!" yelled Larry, in reply, dashing forward at full speed. "Here
we are all right, capting, comin' to the rescue; don't give in, capting;
pitch into the blackguards--"

"Look out for the grizzly-bear," roared the captain, as his friends
advanced at a run, waving their torches encouragingly.

The whole party came to a dead