livity of the entrance
became so great that he lost his footing and well-nigh fell headlong
down a steep incline. He succeeded, however, in regaining his hold, and
clambered back to the entrance as quickly as possible.

Here he caught up a pine-knot, struck a light and kindled it, and, with
this torch held high above his head, advanced once more into the cavern.

The voice of Tom Collins at this moment came loud and full from the
interior,--"Take care, Ned, there's a sharp descent; I've tumbled down
it, but I don't think I'm much hurt."

"Cheer up, my boy," cried Ned, heartily; "I'll get you out in a minute."

The next moment he stood beside his friend, who had risen from the
rugged floor of the cave, and sat on a piece of rock, resting his head
on his hand.

"Are you badly hurt, my poor fellow?" said Ned, anxiously, going down on
one knee and endeavouring to raise his friend's head. "I fear you are.
Here, try a drop of this brandy. That's it. Why, you look better
already. Come, now, let me examine you."

The spirit revived Tom at once, and he replied cheerfully, as he
submitted to inspection,--"All right, I was only stunned a little by the
fall. Catch me exploring again without a light!"

On examination, Ned found, to his great relief; that his friend's hurts
were slight. He had been stunned by the severity of his fall, but no
bones were broken, and only a few scratches received, so that, after
another sip of brandy, he felt almost as well as ever. But he firmly
resisted his companion's entreaty to leave the cavern.

"No, my boy," said he, "after paying such a price as entrance fee, I'm
not going to quit until I have explored the whole of this cave, so
please go out for another pine-knot or two, and I'll wait for you."

Seeing that he was determined, Ned obeyed, and soon returned with
several fresh torches, two of which were ignited, and a bright light
sent far and wide into the roof of the cave, which was at a great height
above them.

The walls were of curious, and in some places grotesque, forms. Immense
stalactites hung from the roof, and these were of varied colours,--pale
green, pink, and white,--while some of them looked like cascades, which
sprang from the walls, and had been petrified ere they quite reached the
ground. The roof was supported by natural pillars, and various arched
openings led into similar chambers, some of which were larger and more
curious than the outer one.

"Do you k