It
was not really a cave, but only a shaft into the granite
cliff. A screen of evergreen boughs protected the opening
against the weather, and inside were piles of sacking that had
evidently been used as beds, and many old grocery boxes for
tables and chairs. It amused me to notice a cracked fragment
of mirror balanced on a corner of rock. Even these
ragamuffins apparently were not totally unconscious of
personal appearance. I seized the opportunity, while the
Professor was giving Peg's foot a final look, to rearrange my
hair, which was emphatically a sight. I hardly think Andrew
would have recognized me that morning.
We led Peg up the steep incline, back into the lane where I
had strayed, and at length we reached the main road again.
Here I began to lay down the law to Redbeard.
"Now look here, Professor," I said, "I'm not going to have you
tramp all the way back to Port Vigor. After the night you've
had you need a rest. You just climb into that Parnassus and
lie down for a good snooze. I'll drive you into Woodbridge
and you can take your train there. Now you get right into
that bunk. I'll sit out here and drive."
He demurred, but without much emphasis. I think the little
fool was just about fagged out, and no wonder.
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