Within, where his head was hidden, the darkness was impenetrable.

Jacker blew a strange note on a whistle manufactured from the nut of an apricot, and after a few moments a light appeared below him, a feeble flame, far down in the rock.

This was waved twice and then withdrawn.
'Righto!' said Jacker in a hoarse piratical tone.

'Gimme the tucker, Black Douglas; I'll go down.

You coves keep watch, an' no talkin', mind.' Phil grumbled inarticulately, and Jacker's tone became hoarser and more piratical still.
'Who's commandin' here ?' he growled.