Three more Spanish gold pieces were sighted, also a curious golden cross set with rubies.
At last it looked as if he had secured everything of value, and he called to those above to haul him up.
The others were busy counting up the gold pieces, but responded without delay, and in a minute he was swinging clear of the ledge and moving upward slowly but steadily.
His torch had almost gone out, and threw out far more smoke than flame.
Suddenly, when he was midway between the top of the opening and the edge, something caught his eye which filled him with horror.
In some manner the torch had set fire to the rope at a point two feet over his head. The strands were burning freely, and it looked as if in a few seconds more the rope would be burnt through.
CHAPTER XXXI.
A DANGEROUS TUMBLE.
"Pull up quick, boys! The rope is on fire!"
Such was Dick's agonizing cry as he made his dire discovery.
"The rope is on fire?" repeated Bob. "How did that happen?"