nd supposed that it had again attacked him now that he was
feeling the hardships of the march. Saying nothing to his companions,
he patiently trudged on, though his head throbbed and he was conscious
of a depressing weakness; and the ground grew softer as they proceeded.
The creek no longer kept within its banks but spread in shallow pools,
the rotting trees were giving place to tall grass and reeds. The
valley had turned into a very wet muskeg, but, after making one or two
attempts, they failed to find a better road among the hills that shut
it in. The rocky sides of the knolls were seamed by ravines and
covered with banks of stones and short brush, through which it was very
difficult to force a passage. Then one day, Blake, who felt his head
reel, staggered and sat down heavily.

"I'm sorry I can't keep on my feet," he said. "Think it's malaria I've
got."

For a moment or two his companions gazed at him in dismay. His face
was flushed, his eyes glittered, and moving feebly he sank further down
with his back against a stone. He looked seriously ill, but Harding,
realizing that the situation must be grappled with, resolutely pulled
himself together.

"You can't lie there; the ground's too wet," he said. "It's drier on
yonder hummock and we'll have to get you across to it. If you can
stand up and lean on us we'll fix you comfortably in camp in a few
minutes."

When Blake had shakily risen they unstrapped his pack and afterwards
with much trouble helped him to reach a small, stony knoll, where they
made a fire and spread their blankets on a bundle of reeds for him to
lie on.

"Thanks," he said in a listless voice. "I found it hard to keep my
eyes open all morning and now I think I'll go to sleep. I'll no doubt
feel better to-morrow."

By and by he fell asleep, but his rest was broken, for he moved his
limbs and muttered now and then. It was a heavy, grey afternoon with a
cold wind rippling the leaden pools and rustling the reeds, and the
watchers felt dejected and alarmed. Neither had any medical knowledge,
and they were a very long way from the settlements. Rocky hillsides
and wet muskegs which they could not cross with a sick companion shut
them off from all help; their provisions were not plentiful, and the
rigorous winter would soon set in.

They scarcely spoke to one another as the afternoon wore away, but when
supper time came Harding roused Blake and tried to give him a little
food. He coul