We looked at one another. "I'm willing to do what I can," I said promptly. "I wouldn't want to leave a dog to die down here."
"But what can we do?" asked Oliver. "Look around; we are hemmed in ourselves."
"But it is light—there must be some opening," put in Dan quickly. He looked up. "There it is—but out of reach."
After that we were silent, hardly knowing what to do and what to expect. Supposing more of the cave ceiling should come down?
But the shock was over, and soon we plucked up our courage and endeavored to go to Ramon Delverez's assistance. But this was no light task.
"I cannot hold on much longer!" we heard him call out. "I am in a crack of the flooring and the bottom is giving away. May heaven have mercy"
A grinding crash followed, and listening we heard a dull boom far below us. I shivered and so did my companions. "He has gone to his death," said Oliver soberly, and Dan and I agreed with him.
There now remained nothing for us to do but to get out of the cave, if it could be accomplished. But before we made the attempt Oliver caught Dan and me by the arm.
"We will divide the pearls," he said. "Each
