At first he could see nothing, but when his eyes grew accustomed to the darkness, he made out the form of his brother lying on some broken brushwood which the storm had swept into the opening.
How to get down to Sam was a problem, and Tom was revolving the matter in his mind when Sam let out another cry.
"Are you hurt, Sam ?" "N--not much, but m--my wind was kno--knocked out of me." "Can you climb up to the top ?" "Hardly, Tom, the sides are very steep, and--yes, there is a regular cave down here," went on Sam.
"A cave ?" "Yes." "Where does it lead to ?" "I don't know.

It's on the south side of the opening." Tom's curiosity was aroused, and bringing forth the new rope they had brought along for hoisting the flag, he tied one end to a tree and lowered himself to his brother's side.

By this time Sam was on his feet and inspecting some scratches his left hand had received.
"Where is the cave, Sam ?" "There," and the youngest Rover pointed it out.
The opening was about two feet above the bottom of the gully.

It was perhaps four feet in diameter, but appeared to grow larger within.
"If we had a torch we might investigate a bit," said Tom.

"I'd like to know if the cave amounts to anything." "It might have a pirate's treasure in it, eh ?" "Not likely, Sam.