He was more firmly than ever impressed with the idea that the cavern was the resort of the Devil and his imps, and that they would certainly return for the purpose of carrying off his master. To this he would have no objection, did he not fear that they might nab him also, in order to keep his master company. So when everything was perfectly still in the cavern excepting the loud breathing of the captain, which gave evidence of his being fast asleep, the negro crept cautiously out of the recess, where he had thrown himself down, and moved noiselessly to the place where the captain was lying. Having satisfied himself that his master was asleep, he went to the table, and taking the lamp that was burning there, he moved towards the entrance of the cave. This was now fastened only on the inside, and the fastening could be easily removed. In a few moments Black Bill was at liberty. As soon as he felt himself free from the cave, he gave vent to a fit of boisterous delight, exclaiming. "Hah! hah! hah! Now de debile may come arter massa Flint as soon as he please, he ain't a goun to ketch dis chile, I reckan. Serb de captain right for trowin my fadder in de sea. "Hah! hah! hah! he tink I forgit all dat. I guess he fin out now." Thus he went on until the thought seeming to strike him that he might be overheard, and pursued, he stopped all at once, and crept further into the forest and as he thought further out of the reach of the devil. The morning had far advanced when captain Flint awoke from his slumber. He knew this from the few sunbeams that found their way through a crevice in the rocks at one corner of the cave. With this exception the place was in total darkness, for the lamp as we have said had been carried off by the negro. "Hello, there, Bill, you black imp," shouted the captain, "bring a light." But Bill made no answer, although the command was several times repeated. At last, Flint, in a rage, sprang up, and seizing a raw hide which he always kept handy for such emergencies, he went to the sleeping place of the negro, and struck a violent blow on the place where Bill ought to have been, but where Bill was not. The captain started. "Has he, too, escaped me?" he exclaimed. Flint went back, and for a few moments sat down by the table in silence. After awhile the horror at being alone in such a gloomy place, once more came over him. "Who knows," he thought, "but this black imp may betray me into the hands of my enemies. Even he, should he be so disposed, has it in his power to come at night, and by fastening the entrance of the cavern on the outside, bury me alive!" So Flint reasoned, and so reasoning, made up his mind to leave the cavern. Flint had barely passed beyond the entrance of the cave, when he heard the sound of approaching footsteps. He crouched under the bushes in order to watch and listen. He saw a party of six men approaching, all fully armed excepting one, who seemed to be a guide to the rest.