So before they got home that night they made up their minds to explore the marvellous cave in company.
Nothing was said to any one else about their intention; only when they set out some days after this to go to the cave as usual, Ransey Tansey took with him several blue, red, and white lights. He determined in his own mind that this stalactite cave should be turned into a kind of fairy palace for once in a way.
He also carried a small bull’s-eye lantern, so that when lights went out they should not be plunged into darkness altogether.
They had been rather longer than usual in starting on this particular morning, and as the day was very beautiful, and the trees and flowers, butterflies and birds, all looking bright and gay, they must have lingered long on the road. At all events, it was quite one o’clock before they arrived at the cove, reached the cave, and launched their boat.
The fish, moreover, seemed to-day anxious to be caught, and excellent sport was enjoyed.
It only wanted two hours to sunset when they regained the mouth of the cave.
There would be moonlight to guide them home, however, even if they should be half an hour late.
Yes, and it was a full moon too. Mark this, reader, for with each full moon comes a spring tide!
I have no words to convey to any one the glorious sight they beheld when they at last entered the stalactite cave and lit their fire of wood and grass. Fitz had described it well—crystal icicles all around hanging from the vaulted roof, and raised high above the snow-white floor; walls of crystal, and strange, weird statues of a kind of marble.
They sat there in silent admiration until the fire began to burn low; then Ransey Tansey lit up the cave, first with a dazzling white light, then with blue, and finally with crimson.