How was this? could they be all sleeping or dead?
They certainly could not have made their escape, for the fastenings were all as he had left them.
The means of striking fire were at hand, and a lamp was soon lighted.
He searched the cave, but could discover no trace of the missing ones.
A strange horror came over him, such as he had never felt before.
The stillness oppressed him; no living enemy could have inspired him with the fear he now felt from being alone in this gloomy cavern.
"I must leave this place," he said, "I would rather be in prison than here."
Again he took up the lamp, and went round the cave, but more this time in hopes of finding some weapon to defend himself with, in case he should be attacked, than with the hope of discovering the manner in which those he had left there had contrived to make their escape.
It had been his custom, lately, on leaving the cavern, to take his weapons with him, not knowing what use might be made of them by the women under the provocation, to which they were sometimes subjected.
The only weapon he could find was a large dagger. This he secured, and was preparing to leave the cavern, when he thought he saw something moving in one corner.