“What, down there?”
“Yes, of course.”
“But isn’t it dark?”
“Black enough lower down; but you can see the top part, because the light shines through all these brambles and thorns.”
“But hadn’t we better wait till I’ve got a lanthorn and the rope?”
“Why, of course, before we try to explore it; but we might go and look a little way. You’re not afraid?”
“No, I don’t think I’m afraid,” said Mike.
“Then come on.”
Without a moment’s hesitation Vince began to lower himself down where he had so lately emerged, and Mike followed; but in a few minutes they had decided that they could do nothing without a light. All they could make out was that there was a rugged slope, very steep and winding, going right away in the direction of the sea. They picked up the loose stones beneath their feet, and threw them into the darkness, and listened to hear them go bounding down, striking the sides and floor; but there seemed to be no precipitous fall, and at last, thoroughly satisfied with their discovery, they climbed back into daylight, and sat down on the stones to rest and think.
“I’ve got it!” said Mike suddenly. “It isn’t what you think.”