light,
this time with the Colonel's flask tied to his collar, and stood panting
while it was untied.

It was one of the large flat leather-covered bottles with a silver screw
top and silver cup, which slipped on the bottom; and now, for the first
time awaking to the fact that he was in a fainting condition, Gwyn
slipped off the cup, unscrewed the top, and poured out some of the
contents of the bottle, handing the vessel to Hardock, who shook his
head.

"Nay, sir," he said, "I'll wait till we get out; I'm a tot'ler."

Gwyn handed the silver cup to Joe, who tasted it.

"Eggs and milk," he cried, and drank the contents with avidity before
returning the cup.

"Now, Sam," said Gwyn, refilling it.

"Ay, I don't mind that, sir," said Hardock; "and I was thinking I was a
bit too particklar when it was sent to save our lives. Hah! That's
good," he added, as he drained the last drop. "Sorry I can't wash it
out for you, sir. Shall I go down to the water?"

"No, no, I don't mind drinking after you," said Gwyn, as he tremblingly
poured out his portion, which was less than the others had taken; and
he, too, drank the most grateful draught he had ever had, while the dog,
who had couched, placed his head on the lad's knee and looked up at him
with all a dog's reverence and affection for his master.

But there was no note this time.

The flask was re-fastened to the dog's collar, and he was sent back; and
then the prisoners lay listening to the rushing and gurgling of the air
and water, wondering how long it would take to reach them, for Hardock
had been down to find that it had ascended the cavity for some distance;
but he expressed his belief that it would be hours before it would hurt
them, and the consequence was that, heartened by the prospect of escape,
utterly exhausted mentally and bodily as they were, Nature came to their
aid, and they all dropped off into a deep sleep.

Gwyn was the first to awaken many hours later, to find all in darkness,
and fight alone through the strange feeling of confusion in which he
was. But once more Grip came to his help; for no sooner had his master
begun to move than he burst out barking loudly.

This woke the others, equally confused and startled at being in the
darkness, while the noise of the wind roaring through the cavity sounded
appalling.

Gwyn's first effort to light a match was a failure, but the second,
within the shelter of a lanthorn, succeeded, and a fresh candle