What do you think it was? Two big shining eyes that glowed like coals in the darkness. Whether they were the eyes of a man or of some fierce beast, I did not stop to see.
I stood a little while by the mouth of the cave and then I began to get over my fright.
What could there be in this cave that would do me harm? No man could live there in the darkness. As for any animal, I knew there was nothing fiercer on the island than one of my cats.
So, with a blazing stick for a torch, I crept back into the cave. But I had not gone three steps before I was frightened almost as much as before.
I heard a loud sigh, like that of a man in trouble. Then there were low moans, and sounds as of some one trying to speak.
I stopped short. Cold chills ran down my back. My hair seemed to stand on end. But I would not allow myself to run out again.
I pushed my little torch forward into the darkness, as far as I could. The blaze lit up the cave. And what do you suppose I saw then?
Why, nothing but a shaggy old goat that I had missed from my flock for nearly a week past.
He was stretched on the floor of the cave, and too weak to rise up. He was a very old fellow, and perhaps had gone in there to die.
I gave him some food and water, and made him as comfortable as I could. But he was too far gone to live long.
I found that, although I could stand up in the cave, it was very small. It was only a hole in the rocks, and was neither round nor square.
But at the end of this little chamber there seemed to be a passage that led farther in. This passage was very narrow and dark, and as my torch had burned out, I did not try to follow it.
I went back to my wood chopping.
I EXPLORE MY CAVE FURTHER
THE next day I brought out with me six big candles
For you must know that I was a candle maker
As I have just said, I took six candles with me, for I had made up my mind to learn more about the cave I had found
I lit two of the candles
After this unpleasant task was done
The narrow passage of which I have told you was no less than thirty feet long
But no sooner was I through this low place than I found myself in a splendid chamber