rmed men were about to land on the coast.

Fleetwood's heart beat quick as he approached the shore, he felt sure
that he could not have mistaken the spot; but still very great caution
was necessary; and the entrance between the rocks was so narrow, that,
even in the day time, it was difficult to find. Twice he pulled up to
the black towering rocks, and was obliged to back off again disappointed
in finding the passage. High above their heads they rose, looking like
some impenetrable wall, the confines to a world.

"Give way again, my lads," he whispered. "Port the helm a little,
Small. That will do; I see it on the starboard bow. Now, give way
gently, my men. In with your oars."

And the boat was seen to disappear, as it were, into the very rocks.
She glided, however, between them, and slid with a slight grating noise
on to the soft sand, close to where still lay the mistico, which it
seemed the pirates had not got off. All hands jumped out, with the
exception of the boat-keepers, and Captain Fleetwood lost not a moment
in leading the way to the cavern, which he feared to find blocked up.
With cautious steps he groped his way to it, and to his great
satisfaction discovered that it was open, and feeling for the steps he
ascended them.

"Pass the word along for all hands to keep their left shoulders against
the cliff, and there is no fear," he whispered to Small, who followed
him closely with his drawn cutlass, ready to guard him from any who
might attack him.

This was, perhaps, the most hazardous part of the undertaking, for two
or three resolute men stationed at the top might have kept the whole
party at bay, or, indeed, have tumbled them all headlong down the
cliffs. He well knew the cunning of the Greeks, and should they have
discovered the ship by any chance, this was the point they would defend,
in the hopes of destroying all those engaged in the expedition together.
Darkness was around them, the rugged cliff on one side, a precipice on
the other, and beneath their feet a steep path or rough steps, and yet
no one hesitated to follow where he led. The most perfect silence
reigned over the scene, except the sound of their tread, which could
just be heard above the dash of the water on the rocks below, and the
scream of some wild sea-bird as it winged its flight at a distance
through the calm night-air. On he went--a few more steps would place
him on the summit of the cliff, in comparative safety. His h