"Stay with me, uncle!" I cried despairingly. "It's so horrible alone in this place."
"I'll stop here," replied my uncle reassuringly, and I heard the footsteps of the men as they went off to procure help.
"Have you a light?" asked my uncle.
"Yes—have you?"
"No—we had only one box of matches between us; but never mind, it's only a question of an hour or so."
"How long have I been here?"
"Less than an hour."
Less than an hour! It seemed six times that length of time. However, I had a kind of empty satisfaction in knowing that Uncle Herbert was in the darkness, while I, although penned in, had the benefit of a feeble light.
Notwithstanding that my uncle kept up a desultory conversation, the time passed very slowly; but before the rescue party returned I learnt that the explosives had been safely transported to the reef, and that, on my failing to return, the boat's crew had explored the cave, finding the clue of seaming-twine and following it till it disappeared between the debris. I then told him of my adventure, relating the cause of the roof caving-in, and cautioning him to prevent the others making too much noise.
At length the rescuers arrived, and, without delay, they attacked the rocks with crowbars, trying to dislodge and remove the huge boulders. For a long time they worked incessantly and energetically, but finally they desisted, and I could hear a consultation taking place, though the words were inaudible.