Page 524 - for-the-term-of-his-natural-life

which he clung to the rope—hung powerless. Ground
against the ragged entrance, it was momentarily paralysed.
For an instant the unfortunate wretch sank despairingly on
the wet and rugged floor of the cave; then a terrible gurgling
beneath his feet warned him of the approaching torrent,
and, collecting all his energies, he scrambled up the incline.
Though nigh fainting with pain and exhaustion, he pressed
desperately higher and higher. He heard the hideous shriek
of the whirlpool which was beneath him grow louder and
louder. He saw the darkness grow darker as the rising water-
spout covered the mouth of the cave. He felt the salt spray
sting his face, and the wrathful tide lick the hand that hung
over the shelf on which he fell. But that was all. He was out
of danger at last! And as the thought blessed his senses, his
eyes closed, and the wonderful courage and strength which
had sustained the villain so long exhaled in stupor.
When he awoke the cavern was filled with the soft light
of dawn. Raising his eyes, he beheld, high above his head,
a roof of rock, on which the reflection of the sunbeams,
playing upwards through a pool of water, cast flickering
colours. On his right hand was the mouth of the cave, on
his left a terrific abyss, at the bottom of which he could
hear the sea faintly lapping and washing. He raised him-
self and stretched his stiffened limbs. Despite his injured
shoulder, it was imperative that he should bestir himself.
He knew not if his escape had been noticed, or if the cav-
ern had another inlet, by which McNab, returning, might
penetrate. Moreover, he was wet and famished. To preserve
the life which he had torn from the sea, he must have fire