ll curiously covered with
incrustations. The parts of the cavern open to the air were
delightfully cool, and Lieutenant Belt proposed that they should send
for their provisions and lunch in one of the larger apartments. His
motion, however, was overruled, the ladies especially objecting to sit
down with the bats flying overhead, and the creatures they had seen
crawling about round them. Still, they all lingered to examine more
particularly the numberless curious formations, unwilling to bid
farewell to the grotto, which few of them were likely again to visit.
Perhaps, too, they hesitated to commence the undignified exit which they
would have to make. The torches being nearly exhausted, Mr Twigg,
looking at his watch, announced that it was time for luncheon.

"After which we must not delay in commencing our homeward journey,"
observed Mr Ferris, who had remembered Mrs Twigg's warnings.

With much laughter, Major Malcolm on this occasion leading the way, the
whole party crept in succession through the opening of the cavern, and
stood at length in the free air, their sensations reminding them of the
feeling experienced on entering a hot-house. Major Malcolm had scarcely
for a moment left Fanny Pemberton's side; he now escorted her back to
the camp. His first inquiry of the servants was whether they had seen
any strange negroes in the wood. The blacks all declared that they had
not; but his own man, who had made an excursion by himself to the side
of the lagoon, stated that while he was looking towards the rock he saw
some dozen or twenty black fellows steal out of a small opening and run
off in an opposite direction, evidently, as he supposed, endeavouring to
keep themselves concealed.

"Were they armed?" asked the major.

"Yes, sir; each man had a weapon of some sort--a spear or bow--in his
hands, and two or three had firelocks," was the answer.

"That looks suspicious," thought the major; and he mentioned what his
man had told him to Mr Ferris, who became very grave.

"Fortunately the fellows don't consider us enemies, or they might have
shot us down with impunity," he observed. "There is something going
forward among the blacks, I fear; and at all events the sooner we are on
our return home the better."

An ample luncheon of fish, flesh, and fowl, vegetables, and fruit of
every description had been prepared. It was hurried over somewhat
rapidly; the servants were directed to pack up and proceed on their