and it was so pretty, with the sun
shining in, and reflecting back from the crystals that hung down from
the roof, and those that stuck up from the floor, that, almost before
they knew what they were doing, the two children had gone some distance
inside.

And, once they were in, it was so pretty that they kept on going farther
and farther, until, land sakes, if, in about ten minutes they weren't
away inside that cave, and they had forgotten all about what Uncle
Wiggily Longears had told them about keeping close to him.

"Oh, we mustn't go any further!" cried Brighteyes at length. "It's
getting quite dark, Buddy. We'll have to go back."

"All right," agreed her brother. "Uncle Wiggily will take us farther in
I guess. We'll go and get him."

So they started back, but, would you believe it, they couldn't find
their way! No, sir, there they were lost in that big cave! the more they
tried to get out, the more lost they became.

Outside, Uncle Wiggily was in great distress. When his foot ceased
hurting he looked for the children, but he couldn't see them. Then he
knew they must have gone into the cave, and he was much frightened.

"Here it is, night coming on," he remarked, "and soon it will be very
dark in there. Then I never can find Buddy and Brighteyes, and they'll
be lost in there all night--and--oh dear--why did they go in without
me?"

But in they had gone, and now Uncle Wiggily had to get them out. But he
was a wise old rabbit, and, to make sure he would not get lost himself,
he took a string, and tied it to his crutch, and left the crutch
outside the cave. Then he took the ball of string and started in the
cave, unrolling the cord as he went along, and keeping tight hold of it,
so he could find his way back in the dark.

Then he tramped on, though it was hard work without his crutch, looking
for Brighteyes and Buddy. I don't believe he ever would have found them,
but for a kind old lightning bug, who flew on ahead, to light the way
for him.

Then, after a while, by the gleam of the firefly, Uncle Wiggily did come
upon Buddy and Brighteyes fast asleep in a corner. They had tried, and
tried to find their way out, until they were so tired that they fell
asleep.

Uncle Wiggily awakened them, and then, keeping tight hold of the string
that was fast to his crutch, he led them out of the cave. And, oh, how
thankful they were! They promised never to go in the mountain cave alone
again, and they never did.

Wel