"Don't you think so?" asked David.
"Yes," said Clive.
Then:—
"How can we get down?" said David.
do. said Clive.
"I, don't know!" said David.
do. said Clive.
Once more the boys put their heads down to the hole and listened.
The noises were soon renewed—such noises as,—
Snapping, with variations.
cracking, " do.
deep-breathing, " do.
scratching, " do.
sighing, " do.
yawning, " do.
growling, " do.
grunting, " do.
smacking, " do.
thumping, " do.
jerking, " do.
rattling, " do.
pushing, with variations,
sliding, " do.
shaking, " do.
jerking, " do.
twitching, " do.
groaning, " do.
pattering, " do.
rolling, " do.
rubbing, " do.
together with many more of a similar character, all of which went
to indicate to the minds of both of the boys the presence in that
lower chamber, and close by that pile of fagots, of some animal,
in a state of wakefulness, restlessness, and, as they believed, of
vigilant watchfulness and ferocity.
"I wonder how it got there," said David. "That olive grove—that's it—O, that's it. He saw us come in here, and followed us."
"I don't know," said Clive. "He may have been among the fagots when we came in, and our coming has waked him."
"I wonder that the guide didn't warn us."
"O, he never thought, I suppose."