Hilda reached the edge of the pit and looked down.

In one corner was a little white bundle, which moved feebly, and wagged a piteous tail, and squeaked with faint rapture.

Evidently the little creature was exhausted, perhaps badly injured.

How should she reach him?
She threw the ray of light--oh! how dim it was, and how heavy and close the darkness pressed!--on the side of the pit, and saw that it was a rough and jagged wall, with stones projecting at intervals.

A moment's survey satisfied her.