"You're going to strike a light, so that we can find our way out." "I'm not going to strike a light and go back to please you, Ladle, and so I tell you," said Vince, holding his companion at arm's length, with his teeth set, and a strong desire rising in him to double his fists and strike.

"Give me the flint and steel," cried Mike fiercely.

For answer Vince wrenched himself free, thrust out his hands, and, guiding himself by the wall, backed softly away and stood motionless, listening to Mike's movements.

Then, stooping, he picked up a stone and pitched it over where he supposed Mike to be standing, with the result that it clattered down on the floor.
His anger had evaporated, and his face relaxed into a grin, for his ruse took effect directly.

Judging that the noise was made by Vince backing from him, and in his horror and confusion mistaking his way, Mike thrust out his hands and went in the direction of the sound, while, under cover of the noise made, Vince backed still farther, moving as silently as he could.
"Now then," cried Mike, from fully thirty yards away, "it's of no use,-- I have you.