He turned and ran up toward the wall of rock once more, followed more deliberately by Hardock, who hung the coil of rope on his shoulder.
“Well, where is he?” said the man, as he reached the spot where Joe was hunting about among the great pieces of stone.
“I don’t know, but there must be another opening here.” Hardock shook his head mysteriously.
“But you heard him shout.”
“I heerd a voice,” said the man; and as he spoke there came a querulous chorus from the gulls that were floating in the air close to the edge of the cliff.
“No, no, it was not a gull,” cried Joe.
“I did not say it weer,” replied Hardock. “You can think what you like, but I only says, ‘Wheer is he?’”
“He must be somewhere here,” cried Joe; and he climbed about in all directions for some time, and only gave up when he felt how impossible it was that his comrade could be anywhere near.
“Theer, come on down, my lad,” said Hardock at last.
“It’s impossible for anyone to be here. There aren’t a hole big enough to hide a rabbit, let alone a boy.”