About this cave there was a kind of mystery to the imaginative mind of little Nelda, and she peopled the gloom and darkness far beyond with all sorts of strange beings.
But when one day Ransey Tansey proposed exploring it, she evinced very much reluctance to going herself.
“I’m afraid,” she said; “the giants might catch me and kill me.”
Fitz laughed, and Ransey assured her that the cave was not inhabited by even a single giant. It was all imagination.
“There might be snakes,” she persisted, “or awful alligators.”
Fitz laughed again, and Nelda felt more assured.
“You see me go, sah!” he said; “Is’e not afraid. Ha, ha! it take one much big giant and plenty big ’gator to flighten dis chile.”
He ran out of the cave now, but soon came back carrying a heap of withered grass and foliage.
Then he snatched up a burning brand.
“Now!” he cried, “dis chile done go to ’vestigate.”