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"What now, brother Cairnes?" I questioned in so as I came nearer stains of fresh blood on his hose

"Yonder black-faced cannibal buried his teeth in loo another bit ofthere like a bull-dog until I choked hiodly "

The energetic movement of his red head clearly evidenced the sincerity of his feelings, yet it was not in s upon a helpless prisoner

"No, friend; we are white, not red The pain will pass presently, and it would not be a Christian act to dispose thus of one bound in our hands I will give hio together and search out the secrets of this hole It will be best to discover early whether this varlet speaks true or false as to the chances of escape Hand over here the meat and water"

I endeavored to question the fellow further while he sullenly partook of the food offered, but he gave back merely short, uncivil answers, and those of little value Finally, despairing of learning more from such a source, we securely bucked the sullen fool, rolled his body close against the wall out of sight of any chance visitant, and then made preparation to explore our prison-house and discover for ourselves thedirectly ahead seeeway into the rock; so, lighting a pine knot at the altar fire, and bidding Cairnes follow me closely, I led forward down the narrow tunnel The floor was uneven, while so irregular and rough appeared roof and walls as to convince me this was a natural excavation, probably the run-way for some ancient watercourse Yet, as I tested the nature of the stone with the point ofknife, it proved easily workable with tools, and apparently revealed softer htly beyond the entrance leading from the main chaallery This was of considerable proportions, elevated perhaps ten or more feet above the h the chinks of which one ht command unseen a wide view of the cavern and its altar But, to our rather hasty inspection, this gallery contained nothing except bare rock, and, after a single curious glance about we drew back and moved on cautiously in exploration of the lower tunnel This curved gradually toward the left, and held a rather steep pitch doard It was not above three feet in width until we had traversed fully fifty paces, when it suddenly broadened, and the fitful glare of the torch, which I held overgreen eyes For an instant I believed we had invaded the lair of some wild animal, and drew back quickly, my hand on the knife hilt