"I feel sure we could hide in the upper part.

Draw a sail over us, perhaps: they'd never think we should hide in an open place like that, where they landed." "Very well, then: come on.

Here's the lanthorn and the tinder-box." Vince secured these from where they lay half buried in the sand; and then, rising quickly out of their irritating beds, and scattering the loose fine dry grit back, they hurried into the outer cave, seized the rope and grapnel, and Mike was swinging it to throw up into the opening, when his arm dropped to his side, and he stood as if paralysed, looking wildly at his companion.
For that had occurred upon which they had not for a moment counted.
They had seen the party of men pass them, and it never struck either that this was not all, till they stood beneath the opening in the act of throwing the grapnel.

Then, plainly heard, came a boisterous laugh, followed by the murmur of voices.
They looked at each other aghast, as they saw that their escape in that direction was cut off.

There was no seeking refuge among the bales, and in despair the grapnel was thrown down in its place; while, in full expectation of seeing more of the smuggler crew come through the fissure, they were hurrying back to the inner cave, when Vince turned and caught up the conger club and the heavy oaken cudgel, holding both out to Mike to take one, and the latter seized the club.
Enemies behind them and enemies in front, they felt almost paralysed by their despair and dread, half expecting to find the party that had ascended already back.