Then we advanced to the edge of the rocks, Jack carrying one
bundle, with the torch; I the other, with the things for producing
fire.

"Now don't weary for us, Peterkin, should we be gone some time,"
said Jack; "we'll be sure to return in half-an-hour at the very
latest, however interesting the cave should be, that we may relieve
your mind."

"Farewell!" said Peterkin, coming up to us with a look of deep but
pretended solemnity, while he shook hands and kissed each of us on
the cheek. "Farewell! and while you are gone I shall repose my
weary limbs under the shelter of this bush, and meditate on the
changefulness of all things earthly, with special reference to the
forsaken condition of a poor ship-wrecked sailor boy!" So saying,
Peterkin waved his hand, turned from us, and cast himself upon the
ground with a look of melancholy resignation, which was so well
feigned, that I would have thought it genuine had he not
accompanied it with a gentle wink. We both laughed, and, springing
from the rocks together, plunged head first into the sea.

We gained the interior of the submarine cave without difficulty,
and, on emerging from the waves, supported ourselves for some time
by treading-water, while we held the two bundles above our heads.
This we did in order to let our eyes become accustomed to the
obscurity. Then, when we could see sufficiently, we swam to a
shelving rock, and landed in safety. Having wrung the water from
our trousers, and dried ourselves as well as we could under the
circumstances, we proceeded to ignite the torch. This we