Wonder how far it goes in?
Pst!" Vince grasped his companion's arm tightly, for they were having a proof of the wonderful way in which sound was carried along the surface of the water, especially in a narrow passage such as that in which they had taken refuge.
For all at once the murmur of voices sounded as if it were approaching them, and their hearts seemed to stand still, as they believed that they were being pursued.
But the next minute they knew that the speakers were only standing at the mouth of the cave and looking in, one of the men apparently whispering close to them, and with perfect distinctness:-- "Seals," he said.

"I came and listened last time I was here, and you could hear 'em splashing and walloping about in the water.

Like to go on in ?" "No," said another voice.

"Get 'em up in a corner and they'll show fight as savage as can be; and they can bite too." "Good polt on the head with a club settles them, though, soon enough." "Ay, but who's to get to hit at 'em, shut up in a hole where you haven't room to swing your arm?
'sides, they're as quick as lightning, and they'll come right at you." "What, attack ?" "Nay, I don't say that: p'r'aps it's on'y trying to get away; but if one of they slippery things comes between your legs down you must go." "Think there's any in now ?" "Bound to say there are.

They comes and goes, though.