“Urania!” Dorothy kept pleading, holding the hand of the girl who was now crouching on the damp ground. “Do try to come outside. No one will harm you. We came to tell you that it was all a mistake, and that you are free to come and go as you please. You will even be given some money. The men know they have wronged you--” She was talking hurriedly without regard to word or sentence. She was trying to make Urania understand--to rouse her to some consciousness.
“Have you any sort of light?” asked the Major, for he had searched in vain, and it was now really dark.
Urania crawled over to a huge stone, then she put her hand up to the brick wall that lined the place. For a few moments she fumbled about, but seemed too weak to make further effort.
“I can’t,” she said at last. “There is--a candle there--behind the lose brick!”
It took but a second for Major Dale to locate the spot, and but a moment longer to have the candle lighted.
Then they could see Urania! And they could see that place!
“Oh, you poor, dear child!” sobbed Dorothy. “Why did you not let me know?”
The dark eyes flashed and Urania showed she was not yet too weak to smile.
“And it is all safe?” she asked, wearily.
“All entirely safe,” answered Major Dale. “But you are not safe here. It is a wonder you have lived--hurry! We must get across the swamp quickly to reach the road before it is dangerously dark.”
“Can you walk?” asked Dorothy, anxiously.
“Oh, yes--I can now,” replied Urania, “but I was so scared at first, and I have been--out looking for some berries. I can’t believe I will not have to run--any more.”
“And I can’t believe that I have really found you,” said Dorothy. “We have been looking all day long.”
“Come, come,” urged the Major, “you young ladies may talk after we get home.”
They made their way to the door, and the Major extinguished the candle.
“Oh, wait!” exclaimed Urania, “I must go back. I forgot something.”
“I don’t believe I can,” replied Urania. “Would you mind holding the light?”
The Major re-lighted the candle and again entered the cave. Urania walked over to the far corner and took some bricks out of the wall. Major Dale held the candle close to her shoulder.
“It was here to-day,” she said. “Oh, yes, I have it. Just move that brick--”