tain," said Tom, "but if it is going to be annihilated I hope we get far enough away from it."
"If we can keep our presence here a secret for a few more days, I think that will be long enough," proceeded Mr. Jenks. "Then we will leave."
"And, in the meanwhile, they'll be searching for us," objected Mr. Damon. "I wish that ghost-chap would come back and tell us what to do. Bless my liver-pin, but we are going to be in considerable danger, I'm afraid! Those men may capture us, and decide to make diamond dust from us."
"Come on—hurry to the little cave," urged Tom. "Then we'll get ready to defend ourselves."
"The main cave is a large one," said Mr. Jenks, "and there are many hiding places in it. In fact, it is so large that it will take those fellows several days to complete a circuit of it. By that time Bill Renshaw may come back, and take us to some place in which they have already searched for us. Then we'll be comparatively safe."
This thought was some consolation to them, as they made their way through the dark passage, dimly illuminated by the lantern they had
