“I can’t stand this here,” he muttered, and feeling his way cautiously, he lowered himself down till he could get good foothold, and was in the act of descending farther, when steps approached, and the mate’s voice was heard in company with Panton’s.
“Here, one of you, run back for a lantern,” cried the mate as he hurried to the mouth of the chasm. “Ahoy there, Mr Lane; Smith!”
“Ahoy it is, sir,” came from below.
“Hold hard, my lad, and make this rope fast around you. Know where Mr Lane is?”
The man made no answer for a minute, as he caught and secured the rope about him.
“No, sir, I can’t make out, but I’m a-going to see,” he muttered between his teeth—“I mean feel, for we’re having nothing but darkness this voyage.”
“I’ll send a lantern down after you directly, my lad. Ready?”
“Ay, ay, sir. Lower away.”
“No, better wait for the light. It is like pitch down there.”
“Ay, ’tis, sir, but that poor lad’s waiting for help.”