When we had reached the bottom of the gorge I stopped suddenly.
"I heard a noise, Eli," I whispered. "Stop, listen!"
We stopped, but all was silent. No wind blew, and so every sound was easily heard. I ran up the path again, and looked around. The moon had not yet risen, but the night was clear. Still I could see nothing.
"Maaster Jasper es feartened," grunted Eli; "come on."
I followed him again, and had scarcely reached the beach when a sound like the crack of a musket reached our ears.
"The devil es blawin' hes billies (bellows) to-night," laughed Eli.
Now, as all the world knows, the devil is supposed to wander much among the caves in Kynance Cove. Perhaps this is owing to many of the strange sounds heard there. In one of the caves a terrible hissing sound may be heard, which is called the "Devil's Frying-Pan;" in another is a deep hole, from which a vapour like steam comes forth, and this is called the "Devil's Punch-Bowl." It is also said that he walks in bodily form among the rocks, and makes great noises with his bellows.
"We need'n fear Cap'n Jack's gang to-night," laughed Eli.
"Why?"