Page:Dave Porter on Cave Island.djvu/254

238 me!" And then came a gasp, and the scamp disappeared under the surface.

Dave was close by and knew the direction by the noise. Taking a few strokes, he bumped into Merwell, who promptly tried to catch his wouldbe rescuer by the throat. But our hero was on guard and turned him around.

"Keep quiet, or I'll let go!" he ordered, as he began to tread water. As Merwell obeyed, Dave struck out to where he saw a faint streak of light. He made out a shelving rock, and after some difficulty, reached this. Here the water was only up to his waist, and he waded along, half carrying his enemy, until they reached another series of rocks, where both crawled up to a spot that was dry. From somewhere overhead came a faint streak of light, testifying to the fact that there was an opening beyond, even if it could not be seen.

"Oh, my head!" murmured Link Merwell, and put up one hand to a lump that was rising on his forehead.

"I got struck myself," said Dave. "But it didn't amount to much. I told you to stop. If you had done so, we wouldn't have gotten into this pickle."

"Whe-where are we?" asked Merwell, and there was a shiver in his tone.

"Down at the bottom of that hole." Dave