That they had not passed out through the usual entrance was evident, for he found everything as he had left it.
Again he examined the walls of the cavern, only to be again baffled and disappointed.
He began to think that may be after all, the cavern was under a spell of enchantment, and that the women had actually been carried off in the manner described by the negro.
The boy was evidently honest in his statement, believing that he was telling nothing that was not true.
But be all this as it might, the mere presence of a human being, even though a poor negro boy, was sufficient to enable him to shake off the feeling of loneliness and fear, with which he was oppressed upon entering the cavern.
He now determined to remain in the cavern for a short time.
Long enough at least to make a thorough examination of the place, before taking his departure.
This determination of Captain Flint's was by no means agreeable to the negro boy.
Bill was anxious to leave the cave, and by that means escape the clutches of the devil, who was in the habit of frequenting it.
He endeavored to induce Flint to change his resolution by assuring him that he had heard the devil say that he was coming after him. But the captain only laughed at the boy, and he was compelled to remain.