"You have only got to follow me," commanded Eustace, looking round at her. "You're not afraid, are you?" he demanded.
"Oh no, not afraid! I'm not afraid," replied Eliza.
"It's like a girl to be frightened because you cannot see any houses here, and there aren't many people about; but my father says it is a grand view, and we can be close to the sea and the mountains too." And, thus reassured, Eliza followed the little boy into what looked like a hole cut in the side of the cliff. It ran a good way back, but the floor was firm and dry, dotted with pretty little shells, and more delicate seaweed than they found near the camp, and Eliza was soon busy picking up both shells and seaweed, while Eustace, as became his dignity, sat on a shelving bank to watch his "Man Friday," not admitting even to himself that he was tired after his long walk.
"Have you got enough?" he asked at length. "We have got to explore this cave, you know, and find a place where we can make our bed."
Eliza stood up and peered into the shadowy part of the cave, where the sun's rays never reached the sandy bottom, and she found it wet.
"I shouldn't like to sleep here, master," she said, still in her character of "Friday."
"Never fear, I will take care of you, Friday. Now, follow me close," said Eustace, who thought he would rather have Eliza near him while going up the dark steps that had been cut in the chalk which he had once ascended with his father.
"This is a queer place," said Eliza, with a shiver, as they turned a sharp corner at the back of the cave, and began to climb the rough uneven steps that led them up into the darkness, as it seemed to the girl. But if a little fellow like Eustace was not afraid to go first into this queer place, Eliza was not going to yield, and so she followed on as closely as she could, but it was a great relief when at last a streak of daylight could be seen in what looked like the roof of this stairway.
"Now are you frightened?" asked Eustace, triumphantly.
"No, but I am glad to see the light, and I hope we shall soon get to the top."