, seeming to
come from far back beyond the stacks of kegs and bales, and rushing out
into the bright light beneath the arch.

It was nothing to mind; but their nerves were on the strain, and they
breathed more freely as soon as the birds were gone. It seemed to
signify that no human beings were in the higher part of the cavern, and
the solemn silence of the place encouraged them at last to speak, but
only in whispers.

"Wish we'd brought the rope," said Vince; "we might have got down."

"Ugh! It wouldn't be safe. They might come and catch us."

"Who might?"

"The smugglers."

"Smugglers? There are no smugglers on the Crag."

"Well, those must be smuggled goods, anyhow," said Mike.

"Can't be."

"What are they, then? I'll be bound to say that those little kegs have
all got `Hollands' or French spirits in them, and the packages are silk
and velvet, and the other parcels laces and things--perhaps tobacco."

"But we never heard of smuggling here. Who can it be?"

"Well, that's what they are, for certain," said Mike. "It's just like
what one's read about. They must be ever so old--a hundred years,
perhaps--and been put here and forgotten."

"Perhaps so," said Vince.

"Then we'll claim them for ours," said Mike decisively. "They can't
belong to anybody else now. Nobody can be alive who brought them a
hundred years ago."

"No," said Vince; "but I don't see how we can claim them. I say,
though, it shows that boats can get into the cove."

"Or could at one time."

"Place wouldn't alter much in a hundred years. I do wish, though, we
had brought the rope. Perhaps as soon as we touch those bales they'll
all tumble into dust."

"And all the kegs have gone dry," said Mike.

"And all we can see before us only so much dust and touchwood. I say,
Mike, we shan't be very rich from our find. I do wish we had brought
the rope. Let's go back and get it."

"Let's go back soon," replied Mike; "but I don't think we'll come again
to-day. My head feels all of a whizz."

"Yes, it is exciting," said Vince thoughtfully. "Perhaps you're right:
we won't come back to-day." And, contenting themselves with a long,
searching inspection from the window-like place they occupied, they soon
after returned, and, after placing the grapnel so that it could be
jerked out, went down the rope, got the iron hooks loose, and seated
themselves to think.

That evening they got home early, each so full of the great discover