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in size； that no man could climb from one to another。 It was a
singularly romantic spot； but now well known to them all there； for
they had visited it over and over again that morning。
〃In there；〃 said Danny Lund； keeping well behind Morton's body； and
pointing at the same time to a cavern high up among the rocks； but
quite on the opposite side of the little inlet of the sea。 The
mouth of the cavern was not twenty yards from where they stood； but
at the first sight it seemed as though it must be impossible to
reach it。 The precipice on the brink of which they all now stood；
ran down sheer into the sea； and the fall from the mouth of the
cavern on the other side was as steep。 But Danny solved the mystery
by pointing upwards； and showing them how he had been used to climb
to a projecting rock over their heads； and from thence creep round
by certain vantages of the stone till he was able to let himself
down into the aperture。 But now； at the present moment； he was
unwilling to make essay of his prowess as a cragsman。 He had； he
said； been up on that projecting rock thrice； and there had seen the
eyes moving in the cavern。 He was quite sure of that fact of the
pair of eyes； and declined to ascend the rock again。
Traces soon became visible to them by which they knew that some one
had passed in and out of the cavern recently。 The stone； when
examined； bore those marks of friction which passage and repassage
over it will always give。 At the spot from whence the climber left
the platform and commenced his ascent； the side of the stone had
been rubbed by the close friction of a man's body。 A light boy like
Danny Lund might find his way in and out without leaving such marks
behind him； but no heavy man could do so。 Thus before long they all
were satisfied that Aaron Trow was in the cavern before them。
Then there was a long consultation as to what they would do to carry
on the hunt； and how they would drive the tiger from his lair。 That
he should not again come out； except to fall into their hands； was
to all of them a matter of course。 They would keep watch and ward
there； though it might be for days and nights。 But that was a
process which did not satisfy Morton； and did not indeed well
satisfy any of them。 It was not only that they desired to inflict
punishment on the miscreant in accordance with the law； but also
that they did not desire that the miserable man should die in a hole
like a starved dog； and that then they should go after him to take
out his wretched skeleton。 There was something in that idea so
horrid in every way； that all agreed that active steps must be
taken。 The warders of the prison felt that they would all be
disgraced if they could not take their prisoner alive。 Yet who
would get round that perilous ledge in the face of such an
adversary？ A touch to any man while climbing there would send him
headlong down among the wave！ And then his fancy told to each what
might be the nature of an embrace with such an animal as that；
driven to despair； hopeless of life； armed； as they knew； at any
rate； with a knife！ If the first adventurous spirit should succeed
in crawling round that ledge； what would be the reception which he
might expect in the terrible depth of that cavern？
They called to their prisoner； bidding him come out； and telling him
that they would fire in upon him if he did not show himself； but not
a sound was heard。 It was indeed possible that they should send
their bullets to； perhaps； every corner of the cavern； and if so； in
that way they might slaughter him； but even of this they were not
sure。 Who could tell that there might not be some protected nook in
which he could lay secure？ And who could tell when the man was
struck； or whether he were wounded？
〃I will get to him；〃 said Morton； speaking with a low dogged voice；
and so saying he clambered up to the rock to which Danny Lund had
pointed。 Many voices at once attempted to restrain him； and one or
two put their hands upon him to keep him back； but he was too quick
for them； and now stood upon the ledge of rock。 〃Can you see him？〃
they asked below。
〃I can see nothing within the cavern；〃 said Morton。
〃Look down very hard； Massa；〃 said Danny； 〃very hard indeed； down in
deep dark hole； and then see him big eyes moving！〃
Morton now crept along the ledge； or rather he was beginning to do
so； having put forward his shoulders and arms to make a first step
in advance from the spot on which he was resting； when a hand was
put forth from one corner of the cavern's mouth；a hand armed with
a pistol；and a shot was fired。 There could be no doubt now but
that Danny Lund was right； and no doubt now as to the whereabouts of
Aaron Trow。
A hand was put forth； a pistol was fired； and Caleb Morton still
clinging to a corner of the rock with both his arms was seen to
falter。 〃He is wounded；〃 said one of the voices from below； and
then they all expected to see him fall into the sea。 But he did not
fall； and after a moment or two； he proceeded carefully to pick his
steps along the ledge。 The ball had touched him； grazing his cheek；
and cutting through the light whiskers that he wore； but he had not
felt it； though the blow had nearly knocked him from his perch。 And
then four or five shots were fired from the rocks into the mouth of
the cavern。 The man's arm had been seen； and indeed one or two
declared that they had traced the dim outline of his figure。 But no
sound was heard to come from the cavern； except the sharp crack of
the bullets against the rock； and the echo of the gunpowder。 There
had been no groan as of a man wounded； no sound of a body falling；
no voice wailing in despair。 For a few seconds all was dark with
the smoke of the gunpowder； and then the empty mouth of the cave was
again yawning before their eyes。 Morton was now near it； still
cautiously creeping。 The first danger to which he was exposed was
this； that his enemy within the recess might push him down from the
rocks with a touch。 But on the other hand； there were three or four
men ready to fire； the moment that a hand should be put forth； and
then Morton could swim；was known to be a strong swimmer；whereas
of Aaron Trow it was already declared by the prison gaolers that he
could not swim。 Two of the warders had now followed Morton on the
rocks； so that in the event of his making good his entrance into the
cavern； and holding his enemy at bay for a minute； he would be
joined by aid。
It was strange to see how those different men conducted themselves
as they stood on the opposite platform watching the attack。 The
officers from the prison had no other thought but of their prisoner；
and were intent on taking him alive or dead。 To them it was little
or nothing what became of Morton。 It was their business to
encounter peril； and they were ready to do so；feeling； however； by
no means sorry to have such a man as Morton in advance of them。
Very little was said by them。 They had their wits about them； and
remembered that every word spoken for the guidance of their ally
would be heard also by the escaped convict。 Their prey was sure；
sooner or later；