A path led up one side of the cliff a little distance below the fall, and up this, Mrs. Watson said, the children could make their way to the top of the fall.
But there was plenty to see down below, and what with exploring, finding pretty stones, and wading barefooted in little pools, the four had lots of fun.
After a time Bert and Freddie found themselves some distance up in the glen, which divided into two parts—one where the stream ran down the center, and another part where it was dry. Flossie and Nan had gone back to their mother and father, who sat talking with Mrs. Watson.
“Look, there’s a cave!” suddenly exclaimed Freddie, pointing to a dark opening in the rocky side of the gorge.
“So it is!” agreed Bert. “A regular pirate’s cave, I’ll say! Let’s go in!”
Freddie hesitated a moment. The place looked dark and not very inviting.
“Oh, I don’t guess I want to,” Freddie said.
“Well, I’m going in,” Bert declared. “I want to see what’s there. Nothing can hurt you,” he went on. “Even if a pirate was there once he’s gone now.”
“You go in first, and then maybe I will,” Freddie suggested. So Bert disappeared into the blackness. Freddie was just going to ask if everything was all right when Bert suddenly shouted:
“Oh! Oh! I’m falling! Oh, Freddie!”