Page:Off For Hawaii.djvu/264

246 voice sounded familiar. Mr. Carson must be with him."

"They won't desert us," said Oliver, and his words gave us all comfort.

"Hullo, below there!" came presently, in Paul Carson's voice. "Are you hungry?"

"We are!" all of us answered together.

"Then stand from under!" And down came a small valise. We picked it up, to find that it contained several sandwiches, which we devoured with much satisfaction.

It was fully four hours before John Palmer came back, accompanied by a Kanaka guide, who carried a long rope. The rope was let down into the cave, and with great difficulty we were hauled up, one after another.

"Well! well! You!" came from Mr. Palmer. "I'm awfully glad to be of service to you!" and he squeezed our hands warmly. Paul Carson was equally pleased. Later on, when we were alone, they insisted upon hearing our tale, to which they listened with great interest.

"Those rascals deserved their fate!" said John Palmer. "If I were in your place I would keep this story to myself."

"I reckon you are right," said Oliver. "Although we'll have to tell our friend Dr. Barton about it."

It was a happy yet a sober trio that made its