"Of course not," said Duke. "Can't you see it doesn't? Oh!"
The exclamation was caused by the fact that the tunnel had brought them out on to a broad platform of rock, enclosed by cliffs. But ere they had time to see more a sharp gust of wind blew out Duke's candle, while wild shrieks and flapping of wings showed that they had invaded a haunt of sea-birds.
Noel clung to Duke in terror.
"Never mind," said Duke hoarsely, "I'll soon light it again," But his teeth chattered as he said it, and the next moment the match-box slipped from his trembling fingers and was lost in the gloom.
Now indeed their situation seemed terrible, and they clung to each other in despair. The birds they had disturbed had flown away, and the sense of utter loneliness was appalling. Then they remembered that there was One Who would not fail to hear their cry, and from each childish heart there went up a prayer to the "Eternal Father, strong to save."
"Don't be afraid, Noel," Duke said in a quavering tone. "It's not really dark. I can see the path before us, and there's light at the end. Give me your hand."
At first Noel resisted his brother's effort to lead him forward; but as his eyes grew accustomed to the gloom, he could distinguish the platform on which they stood and see across it to where the path wound on with light at the far end. So they moved forward very slowly and carefully. The path curved downwards and the light increased as they went on.
At last, to their great relief, they came into the light of day, and found themselves in a small rock chamber with an opening on one side which looked into a larger cave that had a window-like aperture, exactly opposite their little cell, through which the sweet sunlight came to them.
After a minute Duke recognised the spot. They were looking into the cave which he and Noel had explored two days before. The spot on which they stood was the very rock chamber he had foolishly boasted he could climb into if he chose! The problem now was how to climb down from it. At present it was impossible, for the cave was full of water.
"We can do nothing till the tide goes out," Duke said.