CHAPTER XII.
THE DEN OF LIONS We returned to the others and told them everything that we had learned from Shadrach.
"What's your plan, Sergeant ?" asked Oliver when he had heard.

"Tell me, for I have none; my head is muddled." "This, Captain, for what it is worth; that I should go down through the hole that Cat here speaks of, and get into the den.

Then when they let down the Professor, if they do, and pull up the gates, that I should keep back the lions with my rifle while he bolts to the ladder which is ready for him, and I follow if I can." "Capital," said Orme, "but you can't go alone.

I'll come too." "And I also," I said.
"What schemes do you make ?" asked Maqueda eagerly, for, of course, she could not understand our talk.
We explained.
"What, my friend," she said to Oliver reproachfully, "would you risk your life again to-night?
Surely it is tempting the goodness of God." "It would be tempting the goodness of God much more if I left my friend to be eaten by lions, Lady," he answered.
Then followed much discussions.

In the end it was agreed that we should descend to the level of the den, if this were possible; that Oliver and Quick should go down into the den with Japhet, who instantly volunteered to accompany them, and that I, with some of the Mountaineers, should stop in the mouth of the hole as a reserve to cover their retreat from the lions.