It occurred to him that it would be a good time for him to gratify his curiosity by examining the cavern1 in which he was immured2, and devise, if possible, some method of escape. First he went up close to Pompey, and examined him carefully to see whether he was really asleep, or only shamming4. But the negro's deep breathing soon satisfied him that there was no sham3 about his slumber5. So Dean felt at liberty to begin his exploration.
He went back to the entrance, which he knew by the staircase he had descended6 with Kirby and Dan. He mounted to the top, and found his way barred by217 a trap-door which he tried, but unsuccessfully, to raise. It appeared to be secured by a lock, and, not having the key, there was no hope of escape. He gazed ruefully at this door, which shut him out from liberty.
"I wonder if there is any other way out of the cave," he asked himself.
It didn't seem probable, but it was of course possible, and worth while to investigate. If there were it would be at the other end, no doubt.
He retraced7 his steps, and found Pompey still fast asleep, and utterly8 unconscious of the movements of the prisoner under his charge.
Dean took a lamp and went farther into the cave. There seemed to be a series of excavations9, connected by narrow passages. In one of these was a large box, constructed like a sailor's chest. It occurred to him that it might belong to Pompey, and be used by him to contain his clothing. But a little thought suggested that the negro was not likely to have a large stock of clothes. Probably the suit he had on was about all he possessed10. What, then, did the chest contain?
At each end was a handle. Dean took hold of one and tried to lift the chest. But he found it very heavy, much heavier than it would have been had it contained clothing.
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He rose to his feet and eyed it with curiosity. There was nothing elaborate about the lock, and it struck Dean that a key which he had in his pocket might possibly unlock it. Upon the impulse of the moment he kneeled down and inserted it in the lock.
Very much to his surprise, and indeed it did seem an extraordinary chance, for it was the only key he had, it proved to fit the lock. He turned it, and raised the lid. The sight dazzled him.
Before him lay piles of gold and silver coins, and a package of bank bills. This cave was evidently the store house of an organized band of robbers, and the chest might be considered their treasury11.
"I wonder if this is real," thought Dean. "It seems like a scene in the Arabian Nights."
It did indeed seem strange that this far off nook of Colorado should be the rendezvous12 and treasure house of a band so widely scattered13 that the captain was a quiet citizen of a small town in the State of New York, nearly two thousand miles away.
How improbable it would have seemed to the Citizens of Waterford, among whom Squire14 Bates moved, living in outward seeming the life of any other respectable and law abiding15 citizen! This was the Waterford mystery, which by a series of remarkable16 adventures it had fallen to Dean to solve.
He locked the chest, fearing that Pompey might219 suddenly awake, and, following, discover what he was about. He wanted some time to think over this strange discovery, and consider what to do. To be sure, there seemed little chance of his doing anything except to remain where he was, a subterranean17 prisoner.
Dean felt more than ever a desire to leave the cave, but the prospect18 was not encouraging. Why he was kept a prisoner he could guess. He knew too much of the band, and especially of their leader, and he was considered dangerous. His imprisonment19 might be a prolonged one, and Dean felt that this would be intolerable.
It was in a very sober frame that he returned to the room where Pompey was still sleeping. An hour later the negro awoke and stretched himself.
"Have I been asleep long, young massa?" he asked.
"Two or three hours, I should think, Pompey."
"Dat's strange! I only just closed my eyes for a minute, and I done forgot myself."
"You might as well go to sleep. There's nothing else to do."
"I must get some dinner, honey. Don't you feel hungry?"
"I might eat something," said Dean listlessly.
Pompey bustled20 round, and prepared a lunch, to220 which Dean, homesick as he was, did not fail to do justice. It takes a great deal to spoil the appetite of a growing boy.
After the noon repast Dean sat down. He was beginning to find the monotony intolerable.
"Have you got any books down here, Pompey?" he asked.
Pompey shook his head.
"No use for books, young massa. I can't read."
"But I can."
"Perhaps Massa Kirby will bring you some if you ask him."
Dean did not care to ask any favor of Kirby. Moreover he knew that that gentleman was not particularly literary, and doubted if he was in a position to grant the request.
By way of beguiling21 the time he took out his harmonica in an absent mood, and began to play "Old Folks at Home."
Instantly Pompey was on the alert. His eyes brightened, and he fixed22 them in rapture23 upon the young player.
"What's dat, young massa?" he asked.
"That's a harmonica."
"You do play beau'ful, young massa."
"Thank you, Pompey, I am glad you like it."
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Dean complied with the negro's request, partly because he was obliging, partly because it helped to fill up the time. He could scarcely forbear laughing to see Pompey rocking to and fro with his mouth open, drinking in the melodious25 strains.
Nature had given Pompey a rapt appreciation26 of music, and he began to croon a vocal27 accompaniment to the instrument.
"Who learn you to play, young massa?" he asked.
"I taught myself. It isn't hard."
"Dat's because your white. A poor nigger like me couldn't learn," said Pompey half inquiringly.
"Oh yes, you could. I see you have an ear for music. Would you like to try?"
"If you would let me."
Dean handed the negro the harmonica, and gave him the necessary directions. In the course of half an hour he was able to play through "Old Folks at Home," with substantial accuracy.
"I wish I had a harmonicum," said Pompey wistfully. "It would make old Pompey happy."
An idea came into Dean's head—a wild, perhaps an impracticable idea, but he resolved to carry it out, if possible.
"Pompey," he said, "I'll give you the harmonica if you'll let me out of the cave."
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Pompey rolled his eyes in affright.
"Couldn't do it no how, young massa," he said. "Massa Kirby would kill me."
"He'd think I got away when you were asleep, Pompey. Come, I'll show you two or three more tunes28 on the instrument, and you can learn others yourself."
"I don't dare to, young massa," said Pompey, but there was a suspicion of indecision in his voice.
"Very well, then, give me back the harmonica. I will never play any more upon it."
"Oh, young massa!"
"I mean what I say, Pompey"—and Dean put the harmonica in his pocket.
Pompey eyed him with a troubled look. He was evidently weighing the matter in his mind.
"If I thought Massa Kirby wouldn't kill me," he said reflectively.
Dean upon this redoubled his persuasions30. He played another tune29 on the harmonica—"Sweet Home"—with variations, and this completed the conquest of his sable31 custodian32.
"I'll do it, young massa," said Pompey, hoarsely33. "Give me the harmonicum, and I'll take the risk."
Dean did not want to give him time for reflection. He seized his hat, and handed Pompey the instrument.
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The negro guided him, not to the front entrance which he already knew, but to a back exit which he had overlooked. Here there was a door skillfully concealed34 on the outside. Pompey drew out a key, opened it, and with infinite relief Dean again saw the sunshine and breathed the air of freedom.
"Good-bye, Pompey!" he said. "I thank you with all my heart."
"If Massa Kirby cotch you, don't you tell him I let you go," said Pompey, hoarsely.
"No, I won't, Pompey, but I don't mean to let him catch me."
The door closed behind him, and Dean paused to consider what course to take. He must at all hazards avoid falling in with Kirby and Dan.
"That harmonica is worth its weight in gold!" thought Dean, gratefully. "It is a regular talisman35."
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1
cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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immured
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| v.禁闭，监禁( immure的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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sham
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| n./adj.假冒(的)，虚伪(的) | |
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shamming
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| 假装，冒充( sham的现在分词 ) | |
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slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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7
retraced
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| v.折回( retrace的过去式和过去分词 )；回忆；回顾；追溯 | |
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8
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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9
excavations
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| n.挖掘( excavation的名词复数 )；开凿；开凿的洞穴（或山路等）；（发掘出来的）古迹 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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treasury
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| n.宝库；国库，金库；文库 | |
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rendezvous
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| n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇 | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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abiding
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| adj.永久的，持久的，不变的 | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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subterranean
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| adj.地下的，地表下的 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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imprisonment
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| n.关押，监禁，坐牢 | |
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bustled
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| 闹哄哄地忙乱，奔忙( bustle的过去式和过去分词 )； 催促 | |
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beguiling
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| adj.欺骗的，诱人的v.欺骗( beguile的现在分词 )；使陶醉；使高兴；消磨（时间等） | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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rapture
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| n.狂喜；全神贯注；着迷；v.使狂喜 | |
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entreated
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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melodious
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| adj.旋律美妙的，调子优美的，音乐性的 | |
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appreciation
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| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
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vocal
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| adj.直言不讳的；嗓音的；n.[pl.]声乐节目 | |
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28
tunes
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| n.曲调，曲子( tune的名词复数 )v.调音( tune的第三人称单数 )；调整；（给收音机、电视等）调谐；使协调 | |
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tune
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| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
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persuasions
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| n.劝说，说服（力）( persuasion的名词复数 )；信仰 | |
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sable
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| n.黑貂；adj.黑色的 | |
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custodian
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| n.保管人，监护人；公共建筑看守 | |
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hoarsely
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| adv.嘶哑地 | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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35
talisman
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| n.避邪物，护身符 | |
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