Matters were now progressing favourably, when all on a sudden Pat, who had been studying a picture which adorned the wall, cried out, "Sure Jack, but the Drayton folks must have their eyes wrong side upwards, or they can't see straight, or something; as true as I am here that picture is framed head downwards. Look Jack, the ground is where the sky should be; well, I never, they are cures, the callants, not to see that."

And there, true enough, it was; by some freak or oversight the said picture presented itself to the view as described, the ground where the sky should be and vice versa. Tea finished, both boys trudged off to unpack

their clothes.

“Well, what a bother, what on earth are we to do?'' grumbled Jack; "why, there isn't a set of drawers, or anything to put one's clothes in."

"Stuff them under the bed," suggested Pat.

"And nice they'd look when they came out, covered with dust. We shall have to keep them in the box; and look how tiresome to be obliged to unpack every time one wants anything. If this be lodging-house accommodation, I can't say I admire it.".

"Let's go out," said Pat, "and have a go on the sands.'' "All right."

When they arrived at the sea they found the tide just coming in, bringing with it whole heaps of sea-weed and other débris, which it scattered on the beach.

"My, what a lark!" cried Jackie, as the waves sported around and over his pretty little feet.

A squeal from his companion arrested his attention,

a lively young crab having, in a facetious humour, caught that gentleman's foot in a loving embrace.

"Sure, but if ye think ye're going to be afther swallowing me, ye'll find ye're mighty mistaken. Oh, ye needn't nip so hard, get off with ye," and he kicked and shouted, but all to no purpose.

"Wait a minute, I'll bring my knife," called his friend, "and teach the gentleman better manners." After some little trouble he succeeded in forcing the creature to relinquish his hold, much to Pat's relief; who, as he said, 'liked prying old dames and crabs best at a distance."

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"I believe I'll be afther putting some tallow on this toe," remarked he, when they gained their sleeping apartment. "Tallow, I wonder what next! don't do any such thing, it will kill you."

"Not it; why I once heard of an Esquimaux boy, who ate fourteen pounds of tallow candles, and it didn't even make him ill."

"I daresay, but then you are not an Esquimaux ; don't do it, Pat, to please me."

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'Very well, I won't, old fellow, for fear you should have to fetch the doctor. You're as careful as an old woman, Jack."

"It's the better plan, so you'll discover in time, old boy." "Shall I? Well, Jack, when I do I'll send you word just a line on a post-card, or something to let you know, so it's a bargain."

Next morning they rose with the lark, and went for a bathe before breakfast. How delightful it was! and how the pair enjoyed the pure fresh air of the early morning

that braced their nerves and brought the roses to their cheeks. Pat, especially, was nearly wild with pleasure, and ran races with the waves; springing lightly over their snowy crests as they broke, and tossing the salt water over Jackie, who, of course, repaid him in kind.

After breakfast they again came out, and on the beach spied Miss Lane, to whom they raised their hats, wishing her "Good morning."

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"Good morning," said Violet, shaking hands with each; may I ask if you are strangers here ?"

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Yes," replied Jackie; "We have never been before." "Well, there is such a pretty place a mile or two down the coast, called Drayton Cave, if you would like to go any day I will take you."

"Oh, thanks," cried both boys; "when will you go, Miss Lane ?"

"To-day, if you like, the weather is lovely, just the kind of day for such an expedition; only you must carry some refreshment with you, and also a torch."

"A torch," exclaimed Pat; "what for?"

"Because the cave is dark, and if we wish to see the interior, we must provide lights. If you decide to go to-day, we had better start at once."

Some refreshment and a torch were soon procured, and off they set on the smooth sands.

"What a glorious morning," remarked Violet, and glorious it most assuredly was,-a deep blue sky, flecked with a few feathery clouds, the air transparent and perfectly motionless, the sea calm and glassy; while to their right rose richly-wooded hills, interspersed with fertile valleys;

truly a smiling land, and pleasant to dwell in. As they pressed on, tall cliffs shut out the fair scene from their view, and as they neared the cave, towered far above their heads, clothed with moss, creeping-plants, and lichens.

A yawning mouth was now disclosed to them, on each side of which huge columns of limestone reared themselves, supporting the roof. Having lighted the torch, they entered, Violet leading the way, and found themselves in a spacious chamber, the walls of which reflected the light with dazzling brilliancy, being one mass of stalactites.

"This is called the Naiad's Hall,'" said Violet; "look at the pillars see, this one is semi-transparent, and this, how lovely are the colours! That passage leads to another and larger hall,' from which radiate shafts in all directions."

"Have they been explored ?" asked Jackie.

"I don't think all have; one, at least, I am sure, has not, for in it there is a pool, which the Drayton people have a tradition is fathomless."

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Sure, and how can that be?" enquired Pat; "why, faith 'twould be an easy way to get to the other side, I'm thinking."

At this sally both Violet and Jackie laughed, Jackie remarking that "Pat was sure to make it out."

"Suppose we go into the inner chamber," suggested the young lady; "then when we have explored sufficiently it will be time for luncheon."

A narrow vaulted passage of considerable length led to it, and they presently found themselves in an immense

apartment, with domed roof resting upon huge pillars, and, as in the first chamber, adorned with stalactites. "I should like to go down some of these passages," said Jackie.

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'Well, we will, but not too far, for fear of getting lost." They had not, however, gone far before they were stopped. A deep inky-black pool of ice-cold water lay at their feet.

"This is the pool of which I spoke," said Violet; be careful, it is dangerous to approach too near."

Listen," cried Pat, picking up a loose piece of rock, and letting it fall in the stagnant waters. A hollow, gurgling sound met their ears, a few bubbles rose, and then all was silent as before. What a strange scene! the narrow vaulted passages behind and in front; the rock walls on each side glistening and gleaming in the torchlight, and at their feet that gloomy, death-like expanse of lifeless water, without even a ripple upon its still surface. Ahead, all was darkness,-a darkness that the flickering light of the torch could not penetrate.

"I think we have been long enough here," remarked Violet, "this darkness and silence are quite oppressive; suppose we retrace our steps."

Having partially explored several other passages, they returned to the outer chamber, into which day's fair light shone, though rendered dim and uncertain by the huge masses of ivy and creepers hanging over the entrance.

"I am quite ready for refreshment," said Violet; "shall we have it now?"

"Faith, but I shall be glad of some," exclaimed old Pat.