He chose an early hour
of the evening as that in which he should be most likely to find
Black Donald.
It was about eight o'clock when he wrapped his large cloak around
his tall figure, pulled his hat low over his sinister brow and set
out to walk alone to the secret cavern in the side of the Demon's
Punch Bowl.
The night was dark and the path dangerous; but his directions had
been careful, so that when he reached the brink of that awful abyss
he knew precisely where to begin his descent with the least danger
of being precipitated to the bottom.
And by taking a strong hold upon the stunted saplings of pine and
cedar that grew down through the clefts of the ravine, and placing
his feet firmly upon the points of projecting rocks, he contrived to
descend the inside of that horrible abyss, which from the top seemed
to be fraught with certain death to any one daring enough to make
the attempt.
When about half-way down the precipice he reached the clump of cedar
bushes growing in the deep cleft, and concealing the hole that
formed the entrance to the cavern.
"Here he paused, and, looking through the entrance into a dark and
apparently fathomless cavern, he gave the peculiar signal whistle,
which was immediately answered from within by the well-known voice
of the outlaw chief, saying:"
"All right, my colonel! Give us your hand! Be careful, now, the
floor of this cavern is several feet below the opening.
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