his and our bed and supper, which,
with our faces, were lit up with the deep-red flame of the torch.

We sat long over our meal, talking together in subdued voices, for we
did not like the dismal echoes that rang through the vault above when we
happened to raise them. At last the faint light that came through the
opening died away, warning us that it was night and time for rest. We
therefore put out our torch and lay down to sleep.

On awaking, it was some time ere we could collect our faculties so as to
remember where we were, and we were in much uncertainty as to whether it
was early or late. We saw by the faint light that it was day, but could
not guess at the hour; so Jack proposed that he should dive out and
reconnoitre.

"No, Jack," said I; "do you rest here. You've had enough to do during
the last few days. Rest yourself now, and take care of Peterkin, while
I go out to see what the pirates are about. I'll be very careful not to
expose myself, and I'll bring you word again in a short time."

"Very well, Ralph," answered Jack; "please yourself. But don't be long.
And if you'll take my advice, you'll go in your clothes; for I would
like to have some fresh cocoa-nuts, and climbing trees without clothes
is uncomfortable--to say the least of it."

"The pirates will be sure to keep a sharp lookout," said Peterkin; "so,
pray, be careful."

"No fear," said I. "Good-bye."

"Good-bye," answered my comrades.

And while the words were yet sounding in my ears, I plunged into the
water, and in a few seconds found myself in the open air. On rising, I
was careful to come up gently and to breathe softly, while I kept close
in beside the rocks; but as I observed no one near me, I crept slowly
out and ascended the cliff, a step at a time, till I obtained a full
view of the shore. No pirates were to be seen--even their boat was
gone; but as it was possible they might have hidden themselves, I did
not venture too boldly forward. Then it occurred to me to look out to
sea, when, to my surprise, I saw the pirate schooner sailing away almost
hull down on the horizon! On seeing this I uttered a shout of joy.
Then my first impulse was to dive back to tell my companions the good
news; but I checked myself, and ran to the top of the cliff in order to
make sure that the vessel I saw was indeed the pirate schooner. I
looked long and anxiously at her, and giving vent to a deep sigh of
relief, said aloud, "Yes, there she go