"And when mother told her yes, Bridget said:
"'Well! well! Where I wor'rked last they used 'em to light the gas wid!'"
The party of young folk had to follow a narrow path along the shore of the cove for some distance ere they came to the first opening into the caves. The sheer face of Boulder Head rose more than a hundred feet above their heads. There were shelves and crevices in the rock, out of which stunted trees and bushes grew in abundance; but there was no practicable path to the top of the cliff.
"They say that, years ago, a man used to live on this island who could climb that cliff like a goat," Chet said.
"Bet none of you boys could climb it," cried Bobby Hargrew.
"And we're not going to try it, Miss! Not on a double-dare," laughed Chet. "We'll go through it, if you please. Now, here's the opening of the main passage. You see, there's an arrow in red painted on the rock just inside."
"It looks awfully dark," said Nellie, quaveringly.
"And suppose the 'lone pirate' should be hiding in there?" whispered Dora to her twin.
"We—ell! I guess there are enough of us to frighten him away," said Dorothy.
Chet took the lead with a lighted taper. Of course, when he was well inside the small flame gave a very pale glow; but those behind could see it. Then Lance followed with another light at about the middle of the Indian file, and Otto Sitz brought up the rear with a third.