"Yes, yes, Cynthy; but how did you find this hiding place? It seems just hollowed by natur' a purpose."
"That I can't tell you, Uncle. We ran up the bank of the stream, and when we reached the straight face of the cliff Lacelle turned to the right. She hurried along the base of the rock and skirted it. Round the corner we went, and up that hill we flew. Lacelle got over the ground like a young fawn, but it was rough climbing for me. Then I asked the Bo's'n to take my hand, and the Minion took the other, and they pulled me up to the level under the ceiba tree."
"And how did you find——"
"Wait, Uncle, I can't tell all at once. She parted the bushes and pushed me some distance into the darkness, and then some one took my hand and led me along. I don't know who that was. I was so confused.—Was it you, Bo's'n?—And then——"
"Begging your pardon, miss," said the Bo's'n, "I followed you."
"We walked along the passage, Uncle——"
"So did we," said the Skipper. "It's all very curious. Did that girl—. By the way, why don't you ask the girl how you——"
"How can I ask her anything, Uncle?"
"Then how did you know her name?"
"Oh, I wish there was no more difficulty in learning her language than in learning her name. She just pointed to herself and said 'Lacelle,' 'Lacelle,' over and over. Then she ran away. I called 'Lacelle!' and she came running back, smiling. I'm sure that's very easy."