It was a sadly helpless performance. In the dark everything seemed strange, with regard to size as well as to shape. Our wet hands could not of themselves discriminate8 as to whether anything was wet or dry. It was only when we found that the box was quite full of water that we realised that there was no hope of light[303] in this quarter, and that we must have patience through the darkness as well as we could. I think that Marjory cried a little. She covered it up for me in some womanly way. But there are eyes in the soul that can see even through cimmerian gloom; and I knew that she cried, though my senses could detect no sign. When I touched her face, my wet hands and my own wet face could tell me nothing. Still we were happy in a way. The fear of death had passed, and we were only waiting for light and warmth. We knew that every minute, every breath we drew, the tide was falling; and we knew too that we could grope our way through the cavern9. We rejoiced now that there was no labyrinth10 of offshoots of the cave; and we were additionally glad that our clue, the cord which we had taken with us, remained. We could easily pick it up when we should begin to move, for there was no stir of water to shift it and draw it away.
When we thought that a sufficient time must have elapsed, even at the deadly slow pace at which it crawled, we kissed each other and began our first effort to escape.
We easily found the cord, and keeping hold of it, felt our way slowly along the rugged11 wall. I made Marjory keep close behind me, a little to the right, for I was feeling way by the left hand alone. I feared lest she should get bruised12 by the jagged rock which protruded13 here and there. It was well I did so, for in the first dozen yards I got some severe knocks that might have permanently14 scarred her tender skin. The experience made me careful, however, and after it I took care to feel my way all round before advancing a step. I found by experience that it was the cord which had misled me by straining where there was a curve or an angle, and so taking me close to the rock instead of in the middle of the passage where we had originally dropped it as we went along.
When we had passed the first two bends, the anxious[304] time came; it was here that the roof dropped, and we did not know if the tide had fallen low enough to let us through. We pushed on however into the deepening water, Marjory still keeping close behind me, though I wished to go on alone and explore. We found that the rock dipped below the water level when we had gone some way into the tunnel. So we came back and waited a good while—it seemed a long, long time. Then we essayed again, and found that though the water was still high there were some inches of space between rock and water.
Joyfully15 we pushed on slowly; our hearts beat gladly when we could raise our heads from the stooping position and raise them freely in the air. It only took us a few minutes to reach the pile of rocks; then holding the cord as a clue to the narrow opening we scrambled16 up as well as we could. I helped Marjory as much as possible, but in this matter she was as good as I was; nay17 better, for all her woman’s instinct came to aid, and it was she who first got through the narrow hole. Then very carefully we climbed down the other side, and, still holding our guiding cord, came at last to the tackle by which we had lowered ourselves into the cave. It was rather a surprise to us when we reached it, for we expected to see the welcome light through the opening before we had come under it.
At first, in the whirl of thoughts, I imagined that something had gone wrong, a rock fallen in, or some sort of general collapse18. Then I fancied that we had been tracked down, and that some one had tried to bury us in the cave. It is wonderful what strange thoughts come to one in a prolonged spell of absolute darkness; no wonder that even low-grade, violent, unimaginative criminals break down in the black hole! Marjory said nothing; but when she spoke19, it was evident from her words[305] that she had some of the same ideas herself. There was a tone of relief in her voice which was unmistakable, and which must have followed some disconcerting thought:
“Of course not! It is only that the lamps and candles have burned out. We have forgotten the long time which has passed; but the lights haven’t!” It was evident enough now. We had been so many hours in the cave that the lights were exhausted; and at no time was there a gleam of natural light in the cellar.
I found it a little difficult to work the tackle in the dark with my numbed20 hands. Hope, however, is a paramount21 force, and very soon Marjory was swinging up through the hole in the rock. I called to her to get light as soon as she could; but she refused point blank to do anything until I was beside her. When I got the rope round me, we both pulled; and in a very few seconds I too was up through the hole and in the cellar. I found the matches easily enough and oh! the glorious sight of the light even in this spluttering form. We did not linger an instant but moved to the door, which I unlocked, and we stepped out and ran up the steps. The lantern on the roof which lit the staircase was all ablaze22 with sunshine, and we felt bathed in light. For a second or two we could not realise it, and blinked under the too magnificent glare.
And then, with inconceivable rapidity, we came back to the serenity23 and confidence which comes with daylight. In less than a second we were again in the realities of life; and the whole long night of darkness and fear was behind us like a dream.
I hurried Marjory into the room where she had dressed, and where were a store of her clothes; and then I proceeded to make up a fire. The chimney place in the dining room was made after the old fashion, wide and deep, and had in the back a beautiful old steel rack with[306] brackets on which to hang pots and kettles. I thought this would be the best place for a fire, as it was the biggest in the house. So I got from the fuel house off the kitchen an armful of dry furze and another of cut billets of pine which I dumped on top of it. A single match was sufficient, and in an instant, there was a large fire roaring up the chimney. I filled a great copper24 kettle with water and slung25 it in the blaze, and then, when I found myself in a cloud of steam from my wet clothes, ran into my own room. After a hard rub down which made my skin glow, and a wash which was exquisite26, I put myself into dry clothes. When I came back to the dining room I found Marjory busy getting ready a meal—supper, breakfast, dinner, we did not know what to call it. One glad moment in each other’s arms, and then kneeling together we thanked God for the great mercy which He had shown us. Then we resumed preparations to eat, for we were ravenous27. The kettle was beginning to sing, and we soon had hot delicious tea, which sent a glow through us. There were plenty of cooked provisions, and we did not wait to warm them: such luxuries as hot food would come into our lives later. It was only when we had satisfied our appetites that we thought of looking at the time. My own watch had stopped when I had first tried the entrance to the great cave and had been waist high in water, but Marjory had left hers in her room when she had changed her dress for the expedition. It was now one o’clock and as the sun was high in the heavens it was—P. M. Allowing for the time of dressing28 and eating, we must have been in all in the caves some twelve hours. I looked amongst my books and found Whittaker’s Almanach, from which I gathered that as the tide was full at half past six o’clock we must as the normal rise of the tide was between eleven and twelve feet have been immersed in the water some four hours. The very[307] thought of it made us shudder29; with an instinctive30 remembrance of our danger and misery31 we drew close together.
Then a heavy sleepiness seemed all at once to settle on us. Marjory would not leave me, and I did not wish her to. I felt, as she did, that we could not sleep easily if separated. So I got great armloads of rugs and cushions and made up two nests close to the fire which I built up with solid logs. I wrapped her in a great, warm plaid and myself in another, and we sank down on our couches, holding hands and with her head upon my shoulder.
When I woke it was almost pitch dark; only for a slight glow which came from the mass of red embers on the hearth32 the darkness would have been as complete as that of the cave. It is true that the sunblinds were down and the curtains drawn33; but even so, when there was light outside some gleams of it even, if only reflected, found their way in. Marjory was still sleeping as I stole softly to the window and looked out.
All was dark. The moon was hidden behind a bank of cloud, only the edges of which tinged34 with light showed its place in the heavens. I looked at Marjory’s watch which she had laid upon the table, having wound it up instinctively35 before the sleepiness had come upon her. It was now a few minutes past one.
We had slept right round the clock.
I began to make up the fire as softly as I could, for I did not wish to wake Marjory. I felt that sleep and plenty of it was the best thing for her after the prolonged strain and trial which she had undergone. I got ready clean plates and knives and forks, and put on the kettle again. Whilst I was moving about, she woke. For an instant or two she looked round in a dazed uncomprehending way; and then all at once the whole remembrance[308] of the night swept across her. In a single bound, with the agility36 of a young panther, she sprang to her feet, and in an instant her arms were round me, half protectingly and whole lovingly.
We had another hearty37 meal. It was pic-nic-ing in excelsis, and I doubt if the whole world held two happier beings. Presently we began to talk of the cave and of the treasure, and I was rejoiced to find that all the trial and anxiety had left no trace on Marjory’s courage. It was she herself who suggested that we should go back to the cave and take out what she called those dear little boxes. We put on once more our cave clothes, which were dry again but which had shrunk lamentably38, and laughing at each other’s grotesque39 appearance we went down into the cellar again. Having renewed the lamps and made all safe for our return, we took lamps and torches and matches and set out on our quest. I think we both felt a little awed—we were certainly silent—as we crept through the hole over the moraine and took our way up the treasure cave. I confess that my own heart sank within me when we saw the ledge, with the San Cristobal and the infant Christ seeming to keep guard upon it; and I felt a pity, which I had not felt before, for the would-be thief, Olgaref. Marjory I think felt the same way as I did, for she kept very close to me and now and again held on to me; but she said nothing. We lit a torch and renewed our search. Whilst I stooped over the box and took out other caskets containing gems40, Marjory held the light with one hand whilst she gathered the little heap of rubies41 from the first box and put them in the pocket of my jacket. Her feminine care was shown in her searching for the box and the rubies which had fallen into the water so that none might be lost. There were not many of the little caskets—it is astounding42 what a small space will contain a many precious gems. They[309] easily fitted into the bag which I had brought for the purpose. Then we took our way back to the house.
When we had ascended43, we put out the lights and locked the cellar. We changed our clothes again, Marjory putting on her livery; it was now nearly four o’clock in the morning, and it was time to be getting back to Crom.
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1
ledge
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| n.壁架，架状突出物；岩架，岩礁 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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cramped
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| a.狭窄的 | |
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applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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6
wrung
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| 绞( wring的过去式和过去分词 )； 握紧（尤指别人的手）； 把（湿衣服）拧干； 绞掉（水） | |
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7
captivity
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| n.囚禁；被俘；束缚 | |
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8
discriminate
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| v.区别，辨别，区分；有区别地对待 | |
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cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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labyrinth
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| n.迷宫；难解的事物；迷路 | |
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11
rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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12
bruised
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| [医]青肿的，瘀紫的 | |
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13
protruded
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| v.（使某物）伸出，（使某物）突出( protrude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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14
permanently
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| adv.永恒地，永久地，固定不变地 | |
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joyfully
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| adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地 | |
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16
scrambled
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的过去式和过去分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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17
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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18
collapse
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| vi.累倒；昏倒；倒塌；塌陷 | |
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19
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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20
numbed
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| v.使麻木，使麻痹( numb的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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21
paramount
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| a.最重要的，最高权力的 | |
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22
ablaze
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| adj.着火的，燃烧的；闪耀的，灯火辉煌的 | |
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23
serenity
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| n.宁静，沉着，晴朗 | |
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24
copper
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| n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的 | |
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25
slung
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| 抛( sling的过去式和过去分词 )； 吊挂； 遣送； 押往 | |
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26
exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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ravenous
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| adj.极饿的，贪婪的 | |
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28
dressing
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| n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料 | |
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29
shudder
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| v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动 | |
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30
instinctive
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| adj.(出于)本能的；直觉的；(出于)天性的 | |
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31
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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32
hearth
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| n.壁炉炉床，壁炉地面 | |
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33
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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34
tinged
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| v.（使）发丁丁声( ting的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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35
instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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36
agility
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| n.敏捷，活泼 | |
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37
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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38
lamentably
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| adv.哀伤地，拙劣地 | |
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39
grotesque
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| adj.怪诞的，丑陋的；n.怪诞的图案，怪人（物） | |
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40
gems
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| growth； economy； management； and customer satisfaction 增长 | |
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41
rubies
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| 红宝石( ruby的名词复数 )； 红宝石色，深红色 | |
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42
astounding
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| adj.使人震惊的vt.使震惊，使大吃一惊astound的现在分词) | |
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43
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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