'Come; we go under the earth;' and taking our hero's hand he led him
to what looked like the mouth of a pit. A faint light beneath revealed
a sort of step-ladder, and by this Roland, following his guide,
descended into what seemed a cavern. The air was not foul, as one
might suppose, but there was an earthy smell which at first was
disagreeable enough to the nostrils of our hero. Taking a taper, which
was left burning below, The Lifter led the way for a considerable
distance, and then turning to the right entered a sort of aperture or
pocket in the clayey wall to his right. The flickering of the light
here revealed a small bed; and setting down the candle the Lifter
said:

'This is to be your room while you stay with us; good night.' In
spite of the sickening sensation that came over Roland as he entered
this underground lair, and the feeling of pain and shame at the part
he was compelled to act, he was soon asleep, and dreaming once again
of days that held no evil.




CHAPTER VI.

THE WAYS OF ROBBER LIFE.


During the night a violent gale blew, rain fell in torrents, and
many a proud tree received its death blow when lightning sprang from
the low-brooding cloud.