evidently a very steep slope.

"I shall have to go down," muttered the man, "I can't leave the poor lad
there. Ah, that's right!" he cried as Panton's voice rang out,--"Ropes.
Bring ropes."

"Yes, I may as well have a rope round me," muttered Smith. Then loudly,
"Mr Lane, ahoy!"

There was no answer, and he called again and again without avail. Then
a thought striking him, he got out his matchbox, struck a light, lit
several, waited till the splints were well ablaze, and let them fall
down burning brightly, but revealing nothing.

"I can't stand this here," he muttered, and feeling his way cautiously,
he lowered himself down till he could get good foothold, and was in the
act of descending farther, when steps approached, and the mate's voice
was heard in company with Panton's.

"Here, one of you, run back for a lantern," cried the mate as he hurried
to the mouth of the chasm. "Ahoy there, Mr Lane; Smith!"

"Ahoy it is, sir," came from below.

"Hold hard, my lad, and make this rope fast around you. Know where Mr
Lane is?"

The man made no answer for a minute, as he caught and secured the rope
about him.

"No, sir, I can't make out, but I'm a-going to see," he muttered between
his teeth--"I mean feel, for we're having nothing but darkness this
voyage."

"I'll send a lantern down after you directly, my lad. Ready?"

"Ay, ay, sir. Lower away."

"No, better wait for the light. It is like pitch down there."

"Ay, 'tis, sir, but that poor lad's waiting for help."

"Yes, I know, my man, but you must try to see where he is. Hi! anybody
coming with that light?"

"Yes, the man's coming," cried Drew.

"What's that?" said the mate, sharply, as he leaned over the yawning
hollow, rope in hand; "that peculiar odour?"

"What, that smell, sir?" said Smith. "I dunno, sir, it's like as if
someone had been burning loocifers. Why, of course, I struck some and
let 'em fall."

"Ah, that's better!" cried the mate, as a lantern was handed to him by
Panton; and, passing the free end of the rope through the handle, he ran
it along till it was all through, and he could let the light glide down
to the sailor.

"That's all right, sir. Now, then, shall I climb or will you lower me
down?"

"Try both, we'll keep a good hold. Heaven help him, I hope he has not
gone far. Take hold here. No, Mr Panton, let the men. They are
better used to handling a rope. Now, then lower away."

Smith began to descend with the