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“It was a perilous step down, especially to those unaccustomed to the way. But the spot had been carefully marked in the daytime, and presently the little band all stood there at the entrance. Morgan in his secret heart wished some sentinel of the besieged might have perceived them, and so given an alarm. But no; such was the security Fulke felt in the secrecy of his cave that it never entered his head to guard it.

“The men entered one by one, with a man carrying a light in front. The passage was too narrow to allow of two abreast, and too low for any one to stand upright in it. So, single file, on hands and knees, they crawled forward.

“At last, when they had gone some way, and the sound of the sea grew faint in the distance, Morgan halted his men.

“`Give me the light,’ says he, `and stay here while I go forward and see how the passage ends.’

“He crawled forward to the front of the file and took the torch from the hands of the foremost man. But when he began to move forward he noticed that two of the band followed him at a short distance.

“`Did I not order you to remain with the rest?’ demands he, angrily.

“`Pardon, captain. The colonel bade us keep close to you,’ says one of the men, sourly.

“Morgan’s blood ran cold in his veins, and his last hope of giving a friendly warning to those in the castle vanished. However, it was no time to quarrel, and he answered, with a forced laugh, `The colonel flatters me by his attention. But, as he is anxious for my welfare, come on, my men, and keep your eyes on me.’

“The three went forward, till the cave became so narrow that they could scarcely drag themselves farther. In one place a little chink in the roof let in a faint ray of moonlight from above.

“At length they could get no farther, and Morgan, turning his head, said, `It’s a false scent, after all; the cave leads nowhere!’

“But at that moment over their heads they heard a sound of feet, and presently of voices. At first they could distinguish nothing, but after a while Morgan’s ears caught some words.

“`Pray, master, get you to bed for this one night. The scoundrels can do nothing till the morning.’

“`I need no rest, I tell you,’ said another voice, sternly. `How stands the provender, Peter?’

“`It will last three days, master; and the shot will hold out for two. The water, alas! is already exhausted.’

“`Ah! And my child–how is she?’

“`In good heart, master; she was sleeping like a child as I passed her room just now.’

“Morgan could forbear no longer. He turned quickly to his men and said, in a loud voice, which might be heard by the unseen watchers overhead, `My torch has gone out. Crawl back, one of you, to the rest and bring another, for if the castle is to be fired to-night–‘

“There was a startled movement above, which told him his object had been gained. The voices grew silent, and the footsteps moved suddenly. For a moment his two companions did not comprehend what had happened. But it flashed on them soon enough, and they were ready for the emergency.

“One of the two suddenly lit a small ball of hemp saturated in some inflammable substance, which he had carried with him, and, fixing it on to the point of his sword, held it up to the boards above, at the same time that the other drew his pistol and pointed it at Morgan’s head.

“Not a word was said, and not one of the three stirred, until a sharp crackling of the wood above told its own tale. The soldier still held up his brand till the place was well alight. Then withdrawing it, and beckoning to his companion, he began to retreat towards the mouth of the cave, saying as he did so, with a mocking laugh–