Jack and His Seven Foes — page 176: what you’re looking at

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| in the hearts of the others, but they stood erect, grim and silent. Jack again took Martin’s arm, and the man allowed himself to be led away. By-and-by he began to sing a_ bac- chanalian song. Hush,” for seine? “When are we to sing, then ?”’ asked Martin. “When we get home,” “we will be merry then.” “Shall we ever be merry again?” asked Deane. “There if is again.” The noise was louder now, and was followed by the crashing of falling rocks. ““These underground ways were opened by earthquakes, and by earth- quakes they will be closed,” thought Jack. “At the best we can only “be killed outright. I pray that it may be so. It will be better than a living tomb.” In either case it was horrible, and to aid Jack, “ this is no time returned Jack, + JACK AND HIS SEVEN FOES. WIEPDBOIWO? O22 WILM CILON CM Jack there came a powerful longing for life. A vision of Annie Newcombe up- rose before him, and a stifled geroan reached his lips “Will she miss me very much?” he thought. ‘‘ Perhaps she may not hear of my fate, and think that I have been untrue to her.” This thought was very hard to bear, for Annie had become part of his existence, and as a weary traveller espies a haven of rest at the end of a lone journey, so Jack looked towards Annie as a source of comfort and peace when his work of vengeance was over. But now how much lay between him and liberty! How far off, how hopeless, was the prospect of ever seeing her again ! And as he shook off the agony of that thought, the earth shook again, and there was a roaring sound in the cavern, like the sound of an angry sea dashing upon a rocky shore. LALDIALDIUDIUMUM CHAPTER LXVII. THOSE IN Anp all this time where were those two arch-villains, the Swaggerer and the Panther ? As Jack feared, and actually found out when too late, they had made good their escape, so far as the five pursuers were concerned, by doubling. The depths of the caverns they had never explored, nor had they any idea of their vastness. Their experience was confined to about two hundred yards from the narrow mouth. They discovered their hiding-place when prowling about, as much like two wild beasts as men can be, in search of a den, The Panther was the first to see, and, in sheer mockery, suggested its being explored. ‘““‘There’s something that will suit your heart, Swaggerer,” he said, ‘‘ which originally belonged to a mouse, [ should think. Go and see what is inside it.”’ “Go yourself,” muttered the Swag- gerer. “Come, no mutiny,” said the Panther, HIDING-——-THE WATCHERS WITHOUT—A CARELESS SENTINEL. “or I shall let you know who is captain here. I’ve only just got my promotion, and am too proud of it to let others treat it with contempt.” “T don’t treat you with contempt.” “Then obey me. Go and see what is inside that hole.” ‘“‘T suppose I must humour you,” the Swaggerer, with a forced laugh. He went to the place and thrust his head in, perceiving instantly that here was indeed a true hiding-place. “Panther,” he said, “‘come here. I think it will suit.” “Then live there by yourself.” “Don’t be afool; it’saregular cave.’ The Panther incredulously went over and examined it in his turn. Huis delight was unbounded. «The very crib,” he said. They crept in and inspected the place for a short way with great delight. To add to their Joy, it was apparent that the earth round about the mouth had but recently fallen in, and in all said | Dey they were the fet discoverers | of the place. CORNIELOOC 6S (E(©)