But at least we’ll have some water to drink.”

Becky started to cry. Tom tried to comfort her. The last candle was burning down quickly.

The flame melted the candle and died out. The cave was completely dark.

Tom and Becky sat quietly and waited. Hours seemed to go by.

Suddenly Tom said, “Shh! Did you hear that?”

The children held their breath and listened. They heard a far-off shout. It was faint, but it was in the cave!

“Someone’s coming to get us, Becky,” said Tom. “We’ll be all right!”

The two walked slowly toward the voice. Without light they had to feel along the cave walls. They placed each foot down carefully.

Tom had an idea. He had kite string in his pocket. He gave one end to Becky and told her not to move. Tom took the other end and crawled away.

Tom was going to get them out! He was going to find the voice.

Tom crawled along a ledge. Around the corner he saw faint candlelight. Suddenly someone appeared from behind a rock.

Tom shouted. This was it! They were rescued!

The person stood up. Tom froze. He couldn’t move a muscle. It was Injun Joe!

But Injun Joe didn’t see Tom. Tom turned and quickly crawled back to Becky. He didn’t tell her that Injun Joe was in the cave with them.

Tom and Becky drank from the spring and fell asleep. When Tom woke up, he took his line down one passage after another. He was willing to risk meeting Injun Joe if only he could find a way out!

Tom had searched three passages with his kite string. At the end of the third passage he saw a small hole in the cave wall.

Tom pushed his head and shoulders through the hole. The Mississippi River was rolling by! Tom got Becky, and they dug their way to daylight.

Some men came by in a skiff. Tom and Becky told them their story. The men found it hard to believe.

The townspeople had searched for the lost children for three days. Prayers were said in every home. Everyone thought that Tom and Becky were gone for good.

Mrs. Thatcher was very ill.