t of sight. But just as he had arrived at this
philosophical conclusion, O joy! what did he see? Penn returning! Yes,
and hastening straight to him! "Carl, why don't you come too?"

There was no mistaking the sincerity of Penn's frank, animated face.
Again the tears came into Carl's eyes; but this time they were tears of
gratitude.

"Vould you really be pleased to have me?"

"Certainly, Carl! Virginia and I both spoke of it, and wondered why we
had not thought to ask you before."

"Then I vill get my wery goot friend the captain to excuse me. I
sushpect he vill be wexed to part from me; but I shall take care that
the ties that bind us shall not be proken."

In pursuance of this friendly design, Carl produced a good strong cord
which he had found in the cave. This he attached to the handcuffs by a
knot in the middle; then, carrying the two ends in opposite directions
around one of the giant's stools, he fastened them securely on the side
farthest from the prisoner. This done, he gave the pistol to Toby, and
invested him with the important and highly gratifying office of guarding
"dat Shprowl."

"If you see him too much unhappy for my absence, and trying for some
diwersion by making himself free," said Carl, instructing him in the use
of the weapon, "you shall shust cock it _so_,--present it at his head or
stomach, vichever is conwenient--_so_,--then pull the trigger as you
please, till he is vunce more quiet. That is all. Now I shall say goot
pie to him till I come pack."

"Why don't you kill and eat him?" asked Withers, watching the boy's
operations with humorous enjoyment.

"Him?" said Carl, dryly. "Thank ye, sir; I am not fond of weal."

As Pomp and the patriots remained in the cave, it was not anticipated
that Lysander would give any trouble.

With Carl at his side, Penn bore the torch above his head, and plunged
into the darkness, which seemed to retreat before them only to reappear
behind, surrounding and pursuing their little circle of light as it
advanced.

A gallery, tortuous, lofty, sculptured by the gnomes into grotesque and
astonishing forms, led from the inhabited vestibule to the wonders
beyond. They had gone but a few rods when they saw a faint glimmer
before them, which increased to a mild yellowish radiance flickering on
the walls. It was the light of Cudjo's torch.

They found Cudjo and Virginia waiting for them at the entrance of a long
and spacious hall, whose floor was heaped with frag