It was strange, indeed, though sounds are easily transmitted through rocks of considerable thickness, how our feeble taps had been heard at all.

Day after day, and each day a black night, went on; every hour was to be the last of our captivity, according to the old man; as for me, I was almost worn out, and heavy with sleep, but he was in constant motion, knocking and listening.

Then suddenly we heard a splash in the water beneath us--he had lost his balance, slid down the inclined plane, and been drowned.

He never stirred a limb nor uttered a cry.

His fate discouraged and alarmed us two survivors exceedingly.