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up the incline to the scattered boulders above. Some of these were of huge

size, but by passing between some and around others, they were able to reach

the extreme rear of the cavern.

Yes," said Trot, with interest, "here's a round hole."

And it's black as night inside it," remarked Cap'n Bill.

Just the same," answered the girl, "we ought to explore it, and see where it

goes, 'cause it's the only poss'ble way we can get out of this place."

Cap'n Bill eyed the hole doubtfully

It may be a way out o' here, Trot," he said, "but it may be a way into a far

worse place than this. I'm not sure but our best plan is to stay right here."

Trot wasn't sure, either, when she thought of it in that light. After awhile she

made her way back to the sands again, and Cap'n Bill followed her. As they

sat down, the child looked thoughtfully at the sailor's bulging pockets.

How much food have we got, Cap'n?" she asked.

Half a dozen ship's biscuits an' a hunk o' cheese," he replied. "Want some

now, Trot?"

She shook her head, saying:

That ought to keep us alive 'bout three days if we're careful of it."

Longer'n that, Trot," said Cap'n Bill, but his voice was a little troubled and

unsteady.

But if we stay here we're bound to starve in time," continued the girl, "while if

we go into the dark hole--"

Some things are more hard to face than starvation," said the sailor-man,

gravely. "We don't know what's inside that dark hole: Trot, nor where it might

lead us to."

There's a way to find that out," she persisted.

Instead of replying, Cap'n Bill began searching in his pockets. He soon drew

out a little package of fish-hooks and a long line. Trot watched him join them

together. Then he crept a little way up the slope and turned over a big rock.

Two or three small crabs began scurrying away over the sands and the old

The Scarecrow of Oz