"Pull ahead it is, Jack."

Jack was in the bow and he now steered the boat toward the opening in the
rocks, which was quite big enough for them to enter, and they went on at a
slow, steady gait, presently gliding into the water cave, for such it
seemed, with plenty of room above and on both sides.

Jack turned his head now and then to see how they were progressing and if
there were any obstructions in the way, and presently said:

"A little slower, Dick. It is getting darker in here now and I do not want
to run into anything."

"Slower it is, Jack. It would not be any fun to stave a hole in the bottom
of the boat. It doesn't belong to us."

"That would be reason enough for not daring, with some persons," said Jack
with a low laugh. "They will take care of their own things, but are
careless with those belonging to others."

"The woods are full of such, Jack."

Jack rowed with one hand, drawing in his other oar so that it might not
strike the rocks in case the passage narrowed, and then got out his pocket
flash and shot a strong ray ahead of him.

"Good gracious! what's that?" suddenly exclaimed Percival in accents of
terror. "Back water, Jack, for heaven's sake!"

"What is it, Dick?" asked Jack, turning his head and sending the light