"To-morrow we will have a little picnic, and I will take you to a cave you have never visited," promised Levi, as his young visitors were bidding him good night. "It is a pleasant walk there, and not so far as to tire us," added Rebecca. The next morning was bright and clear. The breakfast was soon eaten, after which, Esther and Miriam helped Rebecca clean up the house and prepare the lunch they were to carry. While they were waiting for Levi and Solomon to finish some farm work, the little girls had a chance to pet the gazelle and the tame sheep of which Rebecca had written them. At last they were all ready to start. It was a pleasant walk, as Rebecca had said, yet there were several rough and rather wild places to pass through. "Almost all the caves around here are made of limestone," said Levi. "It is so soft that the rains wear great hollows in the rocks." "Did you ever go to the cave of Adullam, Levi?" asked Solomon. "Yes, once when I was a boy. It is beyond Bethlehem. I had heard father speak of it. He told me that King David hid there with four hundred of his followers." "Four hundred! It must be a very big cave, then," said Esther. "You would think so, if you once got inside. There is one hall that is thirty-eight yards long. There are several passages leading into it. Some are so low that one has to crawl through them on his hands and knees. Others spread out into large chambers. Many of these chambers are very beautiful. The water has trickled down the walls and worn the soft limestone into the loveliest patterns." "How could you see, Levi? wasn't it dark inside the cave?" asked Solomon. "Of course it was, but every one in the party carried a lighted torch or candle. The torches gave light enough to show the beautiful ornaments." "There is our own cave ahead of us," said Rebecca. "Of course I mean it is the one we are to visit," she added, with a laugh. All the children could see was a great mass of rocks on the side of a hill. As they drew nearer, they spied a small hole near the ground. "Must we crawl through that hole?" asked Esther, with a shiver. "It is larger than you imagine," replied Levi. "Besides, you only have to crawl a few feet. After that the way opens up quite suddenly. I will go first with my torch. Then you can all follow." "I'm afraid," Miriam whispered to Esther. She did not wish Solomon to hear her. She feared he would make fun of her. "Hold on to my hand and have courage. I will go ahead of you," was the answer. One by one, they passed through the opening. "Isn't this fun!" cried Solomon as they all stood in the chamber worn out of the rocks. "It makes me feel queer to think of being underground," said Esther. "Hark! What's that noise?" said Miriam, in a frightened voice. "It's only a family of bats we have taken by surprise. They are not used to callers," said Levi.