I afterwards found that there were many such caverns among the islands
of the South Seas, some of them larger and more beautiful than the one
I have just described.
"Now, Ralph, are you ready?" said Jack, in a low voice, that seemed to
echo up into the dome above.
"Quite ready."
"Come along, then," said he; and plunging off the ledge of the rock
into the water, we dived through the narrow entrance. In a few seconds
we were panting on the rocks above, and receiving the congratulations
of our friend Peterkin.
Chapter XIV
Strange peculiarity of the tides--Also of the twilight--
Peterkin's remarkable conduct in embracing a little pig and killing a
big sow--Sage remarks on jesting--Also on love.
It was quite a relief to us to breathe the pure air and to enjoy the
glad sunshine after our long ramble in the Diamond Cave, as we named
it; for although we did not stay more than half-an-hour away, it seemed
to us much longer. While we were dressing, and during our walk home, we
did our best to satisfy the curiosity of poor Peterkin, who seemed to
regret, with lively sincerity, his inability to dive.
There was no help for it, however, so we condoled with him as we best
could. Had there been any great rise or fall in the tide of these seas,
we might perhaps have found it possible to take him down with us at low
water; but as the tide never rose as fell more than eighteen inches or
two feet, this was impossible.
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