Chapter Three.
I left him, and commenced a careful descent of the precipices by which we were surrounded, but, before I had gone fifty paces, another flash of lightning was followed up by a loud shriek, which arrested my steps. Where the noise came from I could not tell, but I heard my companion calling to me to come back. I obeyed him, and found him standing where I had left him.
“You called me, master?”
“Yes, I did; take my hand and lead me to the cabin.”
I obeyed him, wondering why he asked me so to do. He gained his bed-place, and threw himself down on it.
“Bring the kid full of water,” said he—“quick!”
I brought it, and he bathed his head and face. After a time, he threw himself back upon the bed-place, and groaned heavily.
“O God! It’s all over with me,” said he at last. “I shall live and die in this cursed hole.”