“That you’re not. You’re going to help me search the cavern.”
“I’m not.”
“You are,” cried Aleck, firmly.
“Look here; do you want to make it a fight?”
“No, and you don’t either. Come on; we’ll light another candle and stick it upon a piece of stone or slate. Then we’ll have a good hunt.”
“Oh, very well,” said the middy, rising. “Come on, then; but I’m sure we’re only going to tire ourselves for nothing.”
“Never mind, it will keep us from thinking.”
There was no difficulty in picking up a flat piece of slate, and then a fresh candle was cut free from the bunch, its end melted, and stuck on to the stone, and then the lads looked at one another.
“Look here,” said the middy; “I wish I wasn’t such an awful beast.”
Aleck laughed.