4 The Cave

4. THE CAVE Matilda dropped her bike onto the grass. Bones had already jumped from her basket and had disappeared over the edge of the cliff. There was a path, but it was overgrown, and if Bones hadn't taken it, Matilda could easily have ridden by.

Looking over the edge of the cliff, she could see Bones bounding over the rocks toward a cave that cut deep beneath the headland. In the middle of the sand, Matilda noticed the Jolley-Rogers' beach things. Their vehicle was parked wheel deep in the surf. It looked like the family had been there moments before, but now they were nowhere to be seen. She felt a shiver run down her spine.

Matilda rolled down her sleeves so the brambles wouldn't scratch her. She fought her way through the heavy undergrowth at the top of the path, pushing prickly branches above her head and trying to avoid the nettles that sprang up around her ankles. Halfway down, she had to cross a very rickety bridge, with broken handrails entwined in foliage. Soon she was at Bones's side, peering into the darkness. Bones looked at her, then looked in the cave. Then looked at her again, wagging his tail.

The cave looked very dark. Bones gave one last bark and disappeared inside. Matilda took a deep breath and walked slowly into the shadows.

As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, Matilda could make out a faint yellow glow from deep within the cave. She turned a corner, and the rocks lit up with the flickering light of lanterns, bouncing in all directions off a huge hoard of gold. Great piles of gold coins, goblets, crowns, and jewelry covered the sand. Wooden chests and caskets lay open, overflowing with treasure. Matilda gasped. It was only then that she noticed the Jolley-Rogers, standing before the great pile of gold with their backs to her. Bones bounded toward them.

"Hello," said Matilda from a distance. "Jim?" There was no answer. Not one of them turned to greet her. Bones was tugging at Jim's sash, but Jim was motionless.