50 BEYOND THE BLUE MOUNTAINS.

Poor little Cowslip burst into tears at the sight. ‘“ What
am I to do?” she exclaimed. “I ama great deal too tired to go up
that hill. I never felt so tired in all my life.”

“ What is this cave?” exclaimed Clover. “See, it is just here close
to us. It seems to have furniture in it. How very funny! Perhaps
it is one of the King’s Inns.”

“T am sure it is not,” said Cowslip. “The King would not
use a common cave for an inn.”

“But I have noticed,” replied Clover, “that the King does not
care a bit about grand houses for his inns. Do you remember
Mrs. Modesty’s little cottage? In fact, the only big place we were in
was the lovely palace where the three sisters lived. Oh, and look,
Cowslip, even though I have not my magnifying glass, I can see the
red cross just over the entrance to the cave. That makes it right. It
is one of the King’s Inns. Let us go in and rest ourselves. We
shall be quite safe here. Come quickly, Cowslip darling, for the sky
has got so dark that I am sure rain and storm are close at hand.”

Cowslip hesitated for a moment, but as Clover marched boldly into
the cave, she was obliged to follow him.

It was very dark outside now, and still darker inside the cave.
There was not a soul inside, and the children both trembled for a few
moments as they sat all alone in this strange place.

“JT wish we had a light,” exclaimed Cowslip, with a sob in
her voice.

She had scarcely said the words, before in a distant part of the
cave both children observed something which resembled a glow-worm.
It shone very faintly at first, but as they looked at it, it seemed to grow
brighter and clearer, and Clover, taking hold of his sister’s hand,
walked boldly across the cave towards it. | Looking hard at the queer
little light, he saw that it was nota glow-worm, but the reflection from
a small lantern which stood on the floor of the cave. He picked it up,
and feeling about, came to a little handle, which he turned. Suddenly
the light sprang up very bright and clear, and the children could see
round them. ‘The first thing they saw was that they were all alone
in the cave, which was in reality furnished like a rough sort of bed-