"None is like to find the spot," said John Kenton, as he tried to
replace the tangled branches that had been pushed aside.

"God grant us happier days for bringing it forth," said the
clergyman.

All three bared their heads, and Mr. Holworth uttered a few words of
prayer and blessing; then let John help him down the steep scramble
and descent, and looked up to see whether any sign of the cave could
be detected from the edge of the brook. Kenton shook his head
reassuringly.

"Ah!" said Mr. Holworth, "it minds me that none ever found again the
holy Ark of the Covenant that King Josiah and the Prophet Jeremiah
hid in a cavern within Mount Pisgah! and our sins be many that have
provoked this judgment! Mayhap the boy will be the only one of us
who will see these blessed vessels restored to their Altar once more!
He may have been sent hither to that very end. Now, look you,
Steadfast Kenton--Steadfast thou hast ever been, so far as I have
known thee, in nature as well as in name. Give me thy word that thou
wilt never give up the secret of yonder cavern to any save a lawfully
ordained minister of the church."

"No doubt poor old Clerk North will be in distress about the loss,"
said Kenton.

"True, but he had best not be told. His mind is fast going, and he
cannot safely be trusted with such a mighty secret."

"Patience knows the cavern," murmured Steadfast to his father.