By-and-by I heard the sound of voices approaching, and two boys came in view, who seemed to be travelling through this mountainous country.
They were jumping lightly from stone to stone, or pushing their way through the bushes in the more open parts, talking gaily as they came towards me."
"I have heard that there are some wonderful caverns somewhere about here, and I have determined to try and find them out," said one.
"The Guide-book says they are most perilous," answered the other, opening his knapsack and looking in a book he carried there.
"Oh, those old Guide-books always call everything dangerous," answered the other contemptuously, "and I am not going to be turned from my purpose by any such nonsense. Look here!"
As he spoke he too opened his knapsack, and proceeded to pull out two candles triumphantly.
"With these we shall do perfectly well," he added, laughing, "and shall prove the Guide-book to have been written for people with less sense."
"I should like to see the caverns," said the younger boy hesitatingly, "but——"
"No 'buts' for me," sneered the other, jumping up; "I am off to explore the mysteries. It is because you are afraid, I believe."
I thought that the younger boy seemed not to like being called afraid, for he got up reluctantly and followed his companion somewhat slowly; not at all as he had bounded over the rocks a few minutes before.