May as
well have a line round me, though, I suppose."

"You'll not go down without," said the doctor decisively.

The preparations did not take long, "only long enough to make us more
thirsty," Griggs said; and then of the two lines made ready, one was
attached to the barrel carefully and well, the other made fast about the
American's chest.

"I don't like for him to go down," said Chris, aside, to his companion.

"I don't either," replied Ned.

"It seems so unfair when I'm so much lighter," continued Chris
excitedly, "and as if I ought to go." Then on the impulse of the
moment, "Here, father, I'll go down instead."

"Shame!" cried Griggs merrily. "Do you want to rob a poor fellow of
having the first drink? No, thank you; this is my job, and I won't give
it up to any one. Now then, we're all ready, I think."

"What about the lanthorn?" cried Bourne.

"I won't have it, thank you, sir," said Griggs. "It'll only be in the
way, and I shan't want it. Looks dark down there, but it'll be light
enough when I get below for all that I've got to do."

"But it looks horribly dark," whispered Chris, who stood close to
Griggs.

"Yes, from here, because you are looking into a dark hole. When I am
down there I shall be able to look up here at the sunshine."

"Light the lanthorn, boys, and tie it to the end of a couple of the
ropes. We have plenty, have we not?"

"Oh yes, plenty," said Wilton, and in a very short time the light was
ready in case of an emergency.

"Now then," said Griggs; "I dare say I shall be able to climb up again
after I have done, but if I can't I suppose two will be strong enough to
haul me up."

"We can have three if necessary," said Bourne excitedly, for he looked
the most nervous of any one present.

"Lower down the barrel, then, my lads. You can do that," said Griggs.
"Just let it touch the water. You'll know when it does, for there will
be a tug to sweep it away; but don't let it go. Haul it up a few feet
then, and be ready to lower it again when I shout."

"Yes," was the reply, in a husky whisper, and directly after the barrel
was following the course previously taken by the burning faggot, but
without catching, its shape allowing it to pass down the steep slope,
till the expected jerk was given as it kissed the water, when it was
snatched back out of the current's reach.

"That's all right, then," said Griggs cheerily. "Now, look here, I
shall want you to lower it again so