e place, and trying to fix it all in his memory, for use when these
two had gone.

He knew that he must have been over the parts he had seen again and
again in the darkness, but beyond the memory of the great pillars he had
marked, the place had made no impression; but now he had seen the way
out, and the way further in, and throwing himself down, he without
apparent reason took up a long narrow piece of stone, handled it for a
moment or two, and set it down carelessly, but not with so much
indifference that he did not contrive that it should act as a rough
pointer, ready to indicate the direction of the door.

Feeling that it was useless to say more to his gaolers, especially after
his attempt to escape, he half lay on the old sail; while, as if the
darkness were the same to him as the light, the smuggler said
laconically, "Going back!" turned on his heel, and disappeared in the
black gloom.

"Brought you some bacon and some fried eggs, this time," said Ram,
looking at him attentively, but Archy made no reply.

"No use to rile," continued the boy, "and you can't get out, so take it
easy. Father'll let you go some day."

"Where is the cutter?" said Archy sharply.

"I d'know. Gone."

"Gone?"

"Yes, she went off somewhere. To look for you, pr'aps," said the boy
grinning, "or else they think you're drownded."

"Look here," said the midshipman suddenly, "you behaved very
treacherously to me, but I'll forgive you if you'll let me go."

"Look here," replied the boy, "you behaved very treacherously to us,
dressing up, and spying on us; but I've got you, and won't let you go."

"I was doing my duty, sir."

"And I'm doing my dooty--what father telled me."

"How much will you take to let me go?"

"How much will you give?" said Ram, grinning, and the midshipman's heart
made a bound.

"You shall have five pounds, if you'll let me go now, at once."

"There's as much as you'll eat till I come agen," said Ram abruptly;
"and if I don't forget you as I did my rabbits once, and they were
starved to death, I'll bring you some more.--I say!"

Archy looked at him fiercely.

"Don't try to drink what's in them tubs. It's awful strong, and might
kill you."

"Stop a moment; leave me a light."

"What do you want with a light? You kicked the last over, and thought
you'd get out in the dark. You may have the one you kicked."

"But it is so dark here," said Archy, as the boy picked up the empty
basket.

"Course i