Having ascended the side of the mountain for about two hundred yards, they came to what seemed to be a simple fissure in the rocks about wide enough to admit two men abreast. This cleft or fissure they entered, and having proceeded ten or fifteen feet they came to what appeared to be a deep well or pit. Here the party halted, and Captain Flint lighted a torch, and producing a light ladder, which was concealed in the bushes close by, the whole party descended. On reaching the bottom of the pit, a low, irregular opening was seen in the side, running horizontally into the mountain. This passage they entered, Indian file, and bending almost double. As they proceeded the opening widened and grew higher, until it expanded into a rude chamber about twelve feet one way by fifteen feet the other. Here, as far as could be seen, was a bar to all further progress, for the walls of the chamber appeared to be shut in on every side. But on reaching the further side of the apartment, they stopped at a rough slab of stone, which apparently formed a portion of the floor of the cave. Upon one of the men pressing on one end of the slab, the other rose like a trap door, disclosing an opening in the floor amply sufficient to admit one person, and by the light of the torch might be seen a rude flight of rocky stairs, descending they could not tell how far. These were no doubt in part at least artificial. The slab also had been placed over the hole by the pirates, or by some others like them who had occupied the cave before this time, by way of security, and to prevent surprise. Captain Flint descended these steps followed by his men. About twenty steps brought them to the bottom, when they entered another horizontal passage, and which suddenly expanded into a wide and lofty chamber. Here the party halted, and the captain shouted at the top of his voice: "What ho! there, Lightfoot, you she devil, why don't you light up!" This rude summons was repeated several times before it received any answer. At length an answer came in what was evidently a female voice, and from one who was in no very good humor: "Oh, don't you get into a passion now. How you s'pose I know you was coming back so soon." "Didn't I tell you I'd be back to-day!" angrily asked Flint. "Well, what if you did," replied the voice. "Do you always come when you says you will?" "Well, no matter, let's have no more of your impudence. We're back bow, and I want you to light up and make a fire." The person addressed was now heard retiring and muttering to herself. In a few moments the hall was a blaze of light from lamps placed in almost every place where a lamp could be made to stand. The scene that burst upon the sight was one of enchantment. The walls and ceiling of the cavern seemed to be covered with a frosting of diamonds, multiplying the lamps a thousand fold, and adding to them all the colors of the rainbow.