there, and perhaps you will do better than
I did."

"No; you tried, and you're cleverer than I am."

"No, I'm not. You try. You shall try," cried Gwyn, with energy. "Go
up at once. Stop; let's put up a fresh candle."

"It's of no use; you can't--I've been trying."

"Joe! Don't say there are no more candles."

"Wasn't going to. There's one, but the wick's soaked and it won't
burn."

Gwyn snatched at the candle, examined the blackened end and sodden wick,
and then turned it upside down, holding the bottom end close to the
flame of his own light and letting the grease drip away till fresh wick
was exposed and gradually began to burn.

"I should never have thought of doing that," said Joe, calmly, as he lay
on his chest resting his chin upon his hands.

"There," cried Gwyn, sticking up the fresh candle in the tin sconce, and
waiting till the fat around it had congealed. "Now you go on up, and
see what you can do. Keep the door side of the lanthorn away from the
wind."

"Must I go?" said Joe, dolefully.

"Yes, if you want to see the poor Major again."

"Ah!" sighed Joe, and taking the lanthorn, he crawled up to where Gwyn
had been, while the latter searched eagerly round to try and find out
some other opening. But, saving that by which they had come, and up
which the whistling, roaring and gurgling increased in intensity, and
sounded as if some writhing mass of subterranean creatures were fighting
their way through the dark passage to escape from the flood, there was
not the smallest crack, and he turned again to where Joe was passing out
of sight, his boot soles alone visible as he slowly crawled up the
narrow chimney-like place.

Then they disappeared, and Gwyn turned to where Hardock was lying on his
face.

"Sam," he said.

There was no reply.

"Sam!" he cried, angrily now; and the man slowly raised his face and
gazed at him reproachfully.

"Might let me die in peace," he groaned.

"You rouse up, and try and help us," said Gwyn, firmly; and his will
being the stronger, the man began to raise himself slowly into a sitting
position, shuddering as he listened to the furious hurricane of sounds
which came up the narrow rift.

"It's only a noise, Sam," said Gwyn. "I say, there has never been any
mining done up here, has there?"

"Never, sir. It's all natural rock. Look at the crystals."

"That's what I thought. But look up there at Joe."

"Eh? Where's Mr Joe Jollivet?"

"Clambering