"How—a—did you come to know about this cave?" asked the man in a milder but hesitating way.
"I found it one day when I was out hunting," answered Owen.
"I found it in the same way," said the man. "The rain drove me in here, too. It isn't a very good place to sleep, still we'll have to hold out here until morning; so just lie down, boys, and try to take a rest."
"No, sir!" said Martin, looking toward the place where the big door had opened. "We are going to leave this cave immediately. It's a robbers' den or it's haunted."
"What! What did you say!" demanded the man, all his former gruffness immediately returning.
"Robber's den! haunted!" stammered Martin, excitedly. "There's a big door to the left. I opened it and saw a light."
"You did? You did? You saw a light in there?" growled the man. "Then, boys, you have seen too much to leave here until I let you go. Don't try to run away, or I'll kill both of you!" and he emphasized his threat with an oath, at the same time swinging open the door and ordering the boys to go into the inner part of the cave.
They obeyed tremblingly, and saw the rock door locked behind them.
"Now, boys," said the man, "this isn't a robbers' den. It isn't haunted, either. If you sit down there and keep perfectly quiet, I won't hurt you. But if you don't do as I tell you, you'll get into trouble." With these words he left them, and passing through another door went farther into the cave.
Our two young hunters were so frightened that neither spoke for some time.