With the doctor holding a torch to light them, all hands began to haul stones to the opening. Those that were flat were placed on the bottom and soon the opening was filled up to within two feet of the top. Other stones were piled up behind, so that those in front might not be shoved back.
"Now we are safe—at least for the time being," said Captain Broadbeam. "But the next question is, how are we to escape and get on board of the Swallow?"
"Isn't there another exit from the cave?" asked the doctor.
Pat Stoodles shook his head.
"If there is, I never was afther findin' wan," he remarked.
All were utterly worn out by their adventures and by the work on the stone wall, and glad enough to rest.
Yet each took his turn at a two hours' watch, so that they might not be surprised.
But the savages did not come back during the night, nor did they see anything of the natives during the morning.
Pat Stoodles had provisions stored in the cave and they made a hearty breakfast, after which all felt decidedly better.
From the Irishman, who seemed to be growing clearer in his mind every hour, they learned that they were about half a mile from the seacoast.