y gives a little soft cry of
pleasure and comes to me with somewhat hidden behind her.

"Martin," says she, "'tis a good place after all, for see--see what it
hath given you!" and she shewed me that which I had yawned for so
bitterly, viz. a good, stout saw. Tossing aside the pistol, I took it
eagerly enough, and, though it was rusty, a very serviceable tool I
found it to be.

"Ha, comrade!" says I, "Now shall you have a chair with arms, a
cupboard, and a bed fit to lie on. Here is all the furniture you may
want!"

"And now," says she, "let us begone, if you would have your supper,
Martin." So I followed her through the little tunnel and, having
lowered her on to the table, gave her the pot and then (albeit she was
mighty unwilling) turned back, minded to bring away the firelock and
pistol and any such odds and ends as might serve me.

Reaching the cave, I heard again the dismal groans and wailing, but
much louder than before, and coming to the door, saw it opened on a
steep declivity of rock wherein were rough steps or rather notches that
yet gave good foothold; so I began to descend this narrow way, my
candle before me, and taking vast heed to my feet, but as I got lower
the rock grew moist and slimy so that I was half-minded to turn back;
but having come this far, determined to see where it might bring me,
for now, from the glooms below, I could hear the soft lapping of water.
Then all at once I stopped and stood shivering (as well I might), for
immediately beneath me I saw a narrow ledge of rock and beyond this a
pit, black and noisome, and full of sluggish water.

For a long while (as it seemed) I stared down (into this water) scarce
daring to move lest I plunge into this dreadful abyss where the black
water, lapping sluggishly, made stealthy menacing noises very evil to
hear. At last I turned about (and mighty careful) and so made my ways
up and out of this unhallowed place more painfully than I had come.
Reaching the cave at last (and very thankful) I sought to close the
door, but found it to resist my efforts. This but made me the more
determined to shut out this evil place with its cold-breathing air, and
I began to examine this door to discover the reason of its immobility.
Now this (as I have said) was a narrow door and set betwixt jambs and
with lintel above very strong and excellent well contrived; but as I
lifted my candle to view it better I stopped all at once to stare up at
a something fixed