"
Le Noir extended his hand into the darkness within and soon felt it
grasped by that of Black Donald, who, muttering; "Slowly, slowly, my
colonel!" succeeded in guiding him down the utter darkness of the
subterranean descent until they stood upon the firm bottom of the
cavern.
They were still in the midst of a blackness that might be felt,
except that from a small opening in the side of the rock a light
gleamed. Toward this second opening Black Donald conducted his
patron.
And stooping and passing before him, led him into an inner cavern,
well lighted and rudely fitted up. Upon a large natural platform of
rock, occupying the center of the space, were some dozen bottles of
brandy or whisky, several loaves of bread and some dried venison.
Around this rude table, seated upon fragments of rock, lugged
thither for the purpose, were some eight or ten men of the band, in
various stages of intoxication. Along the walls were piles of
bearskins, some of which served as couches for six or seven men, who
had thrown themselves down upon them in a state of exhaustion or
drunken stupor.
"Come, boys, we have not a boundless choice of apartments here, and
I want to talk to my colonel! Suppose you take your liquor and bread
and meat into the outer cavern and give us the use of this one for
an hour," said the outlaw.
The men sullenly obeyed and began to gather up the viands.
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