ing cockerel his supper and
prepare to start again. There will be a moon in another hour and we can
push on. Meanwhile I go to warn the other folk where to rejoin us."

It was a bitter cold night. The wind blew keenly from the snow before
them, and by the time they reached a miserable village, high up on the
slopes of the pass, every one save the two children was chilled to the
bone; but they, well happed in all the coverings the fugitives could
compass, were warm; Akbar, in Foster-father's arms, with Down, the cat,
cuddled up beside him, and acting as a hot bottle! Once more there was
plenty of fuel in the rude hut where they found shelter, and stiffened
limbs and half-frosted fingers soon began to thaw. Tumbu, who had kept
himself supple by, as usual, bounding about, was the only one of the
party who did not doze off at once, now comparative comfort was reached.

But he was curiously restless. Over and over again he rose, went to the
door and seemed to listen. Then he began to whine a little, then to
scratch at the door as if he wanted to get out. Finally, finding no one
paid any attention, he let loose one short, sharp bark, which awakened
Head-nurse, who with an impatient look to see if her children had been
disturbed, and an angry whisper, "Go, then! thou mean-born beast," rose
softly, set open the door for a second, then closed it again, shivering
with the chill blast that swept in. But Tumbu was out like a flash and
disappeared in the darkness.

It must have been an hour afterward that every one's slumber was
disturbed by the most insistent barking that ever was heard. Even Akbar,
usually the soundest of sleepers, sat up and rubbed his eyes.

"The evil-dispositioned hound!" said Head-nurse in drowsy anger. "I
deemed he had left us forever, and good riddance, too."

But little Prince Akbar, half awake, protested in defence of his dear
dog.

"Tumbu only barks when he wants something, nurse; go and see what it
is."

"A likely story!" cried Head-nurse.

"Well," interposed Foster-father philosophically, "some one must go if
any one is to sleep."

Whereat he went to the door; but Tumbu on the doorstep refused to come
in; he barked, bounced off, and returned the next minute to whine and
bark again.

"He only wants something; go and see what it is," came Mirak's
deep-toned voice. "I know he wants something."

"Lo! man alive!" grumbled Head-nurse; "shut the door whichever way it
is. I perish with cold!"

F