n it became dark.

Jack declared that he felt strong enough to go on.

"Yes, you may; but I could not budge an inch until I have had some
food," growled Tom. "I wish that that Frenchman would come back."

"Shut up there, mate, and don't be grumbling. You're not worse than the
rest of us," said Brown.

Time wore on; it was now perfectly dark. They listened eagerly for the
sound of Le Duc's footsteps.

Rayner had made up his mind to go out and try to ascertain what had
become of him, or at all events to obtain some food, for he felt that
neither he nor the rest of the party could get through the night when
travelling without it. Later on it would be still more difficult to
obtain, as the inhabitants would be in bed. He thought he should be
able to find his way back to their place of concealment; so, desiring
the party to keep perfectly silent, he set out. He had not gone far in
the wood, when he heard footsteps. He crouched down behind a tree,
when, looking out, he saw a man, with something on his back,
approaching. He hoped that it was Le Duc, but it might be a stranger.
He kept quiet.

The person came nearer, now stopping, now turning on one side, now on
the other. It must be Le Duc, thought Rayner. He has lost his way,
perhaps that may account for his long absence. Stepping from behind the
tree, he advanced.

"What are you searching for, my friend?" he asked, in French.

The man stopped, and seemed inclined to run away.

"Le Duc, what's the matter?" asked Rayner, in a suppressed tone.

"Ah, monsieur! is it you?" cried Le Duc. "I thought I should never find
the place where I left you. I saw it only in daylight. Things look so
different in the dark. I have had a narrow escape, but I have got some
food now. If you follow my advice you will eat and set off immediately.
Is the cave near?"

"No; but I can lead you to it," answered Rayner.

As they went along, Le Duc said, "When I got near the village I met an
old black, who told me there were no strangers in the place, and that I
might easily procure what I wanted. I accordingly went on boldly, until
I reached a cottage just in the outskirts. I entered and found the
people ready enough to sell me some bread and sausages, charging me
three times as much as they were worth. I also procured this straw bag
to put them in. While I was there packing them up several persons who
had come in were talking, and I heard them say that a party of soldiers