"I can that," said Mandeville. "Ain't I a new man? Last night I was killed. I died, and went down into the pit."
"Tell us," said Smith.
"I'll show you where I came out," said the Baker; and they walked up stream till they came to the place whence the river issued.
There were several mouths to it along the edge of the sand desert, some large, and some small, but it was evident that it had once issued from a single big cave. The new mouths were made by slabs of rock fallen together or resting on huge lumps of sandstone, mixed with a harder conglomerate, and they were, pretty evidently, the result of the last night's destruction.
"I guess I came out 'ere," said the Baker, pointing to a triangular opening near the north bank. "For this one close to us is very shaller, and I should 'ave come ashore. But I drifted considerable after I got into the light. I'll tell you about it."
They all sat down on a sand heap to listen.
"I don't remember going to sleep, Smith—"
"No," said Smith, "you went to sleep walking."
"Anyhow, I don't remember it, and the first thing I do remember, was doing the bloomin' sliding trick again. And then Kitty 'ere collars me, and I 'eard 'er 'oller for you plain."
"I caught her by the ankles," said Smith.