“Oh, what’s that?” asked Sue, stepping a little behind Bunny.

“It’s a cave,” answered her brother.

“What’s a cave?” Sue next asked.

“Well, a cave is a hole,” explained Bunny.

“Then a hole and a cave are the same thing,” said Sue.

“Yes, I guess they are pretty much,” admitted the little boy.  “Only in a cave you have adventures, and in a hole you only fall down and get your clothes dirty.”

“Don’t you ever get your clothes dirty in a cave?” Sue demanded.

“Oh, yes, but that’s different.  Nobody minds how dirty your clothes get if you have an adventure in a cave,” Bunny said.

“And can we go into this one?” Sue asked.

“I guess so,” answered Bunny.  “Mother told us not to get in any boats, and we’re not.  A cave isn’t a boat.  Come on.”

“See, Splash is going in,” pointed out Sue.  “If he isn’t afraid we oughtn’t to be.”

“Who’s afraid?” asked Bunny.  “I’m not!” And with that he walked into the cave.  As he still held Sue’s hand he dragged her along with him, and as Sue did not want to be left alone on the beach of the lake, she followed.  Bunny saw Splash running ahead.  For a little way into the cave it was light, but it soon began to darken, as the sun could not shine in that far.

“Oh, I don’t want to go any farther,” said Sue.  “It’s dark.  If I had my Teddy bear I could make a light with her eyes.”

“I’ve got something better than that,” said Bunny.

“What?” asked Sue.

“My pocket flashlight I got for Christmas.  That gives a good light.  Come on, now we can see.”

From his pocket Bunny took the little flashlight.  It was the same kind, made with the same storage dry battery, that ran his train and lighted the Teddy bear’s eyes.

“Yes, now I can see!” cried Sue.  “I’m not afraid any more.”

With Bunny holding the light, the two children went farther on into the cave.  They were looking about, wondering what they would find, when, all of a sudden, there was a noise farther in.

“Oh!” cried Sue.  “Did you hear that?”

“Yes,” answered Bunny, “I did.  What was it?”

Splash began to bark.

“Quiet!” ordered Bunny, and the dog whined.  Then the noise sounded again.  It was like some one crying.

“Oh, I don’t want to stay here!” exclaimed Sue, clasping Bunny’s hand.

“Wait a minute,” he said.

Then came a voice from out of the darkness, saying: 

“Please don’t run away.  I won’t hurt you and I’m all alone.  I want to get out.  I’m lost.  I can just see your light.  Stand still a minute and I can see you.  I’m coming.”

Bunny and Sue did not know whether or not to wait, but, in the end, they stood still.  Splash whined, but did not bark.  They could hear some one walking toward them.

A moment later there came into the light of the flashlight a slim, ragged boy.  He was even more ragged than Mr. Bixby.