The pain will pass presently, and it would not be a Christian act to dispose thus of one bound in our hands.

I will give him other food to chew upon, then make fast his mouth while we go together and search out the secrets of this hole.

It will be best to discover early whether this varlet speaks true or false as to the chances of escape.

Hand over here the meat and water." I endeavored to question the fellow further while he sullenly partook of the food offered, but he gave back merely short, uncivil answers, and those of little value.

Finally, despairing of learning more from such a source, we securely bucked the sullen fool, rolled his body close against the wall out of sight of any chance visitant, and then made preparation to explore our prison-house and discover for ourselves the mystery of this gloomy cave.