When we get up to the mouth of the cave, we must halt on one side, light our torches, and rush in.

We must leave it to the men then." "Oh yes; they'll do it.

They've all got their blood up.

We must succeed." "But what about the torches ?" "Got plenty for both, and two men have got mine lanterns alight under their gaberdines.

Better pass round torches for your men now." Ralph agreed that this would be best, and Mark summoned Dummy with a faint bird-like chirrup, and made him bring the links.
Then at a word, Mark's men sprang up, and after marking down the spot below the dimly-seen top of the mountain-limestone ridge, beneath which, half-way down, as they well knew, the cavern lay, the two parties marched on in silence side by side, pausing every few minutes, in response to a shrill chirp, while the leaders took a few paces ahead to make a keen observation and whisper a few words.
"All still," said Ralph, after the last of these pauses, which took place where the slope had grown steep, and they had about a quarter of a mile to go upward to reach the entrance to the cavern.
"Are you sure we're aiming right ?" whispered Mark.
"Certain.