This, however, was a matter requiring considerable time, and it was not until a full hour had expired that she returned to the mouth of the cave, and sat down to rest and consider what should be done next.
To enter the dark recesses of the place without a light she knew would be impossible as well as useless, and she had no means of procuring a light.

Besides, even if she had, what good could come of her exploration?
The next impulse was to hasten back to the settlement at full speed and guide a party to the place; but, was it likely that the savage would remain long in the cave?
This question suggested her former idea of the possible existence of another outlet; and as she thought upon Alice being now utterly beyond her reach, she covered her face with her hands and burst into tears.

After a short time she began to pray.
Then, as the minutes flew past, and her hopes sank lower and lower, she commenced--like many a child of Adam who thinks himself considerably wiser than a black girl--to murmur at her hard lot.

This she did in an audible voice, having become forgetful of, as well as indifferent to, the chances of discovery.
"Oh! w'at for was me born ?" she inquired, somewhat viciously; and not being able, apparently, to answer this question, she proceeded to comment in a wildly sarcastic tone on the impropriety of her having been brought into existence at all.
"Me should be dead.

Wat's de use o'life w'en ums nothin' to live for?
Alice gone! Darling Alice! Oh, dear! Me wish I wasn't never had been born; yes, me do! Don't care for meself! Wouldn't give nuffin for meself! Only fit to tend Missy Alice! Not fit for nuffin else.