in the
streams, I don't see that it would have mattered much, if the rest of
us had been wet through."

"Well, now let us look for a shelter."

After searching for half an hour, they found a spot where a wall of
shaly rock barred their way. At one spot some of this had fallen in,
forming a sort of shallow cave, some three feet deep.

"This is not a bad beginning, Roger, but we must try and make it a
great deal more snug."

They first cut down some young fir poles, and placed them so as to form
a sort of penthouse against the wall. On these they piled a number of
branches, of the same trees, until it was over a foot in thickness.

"So far, so good," Oswald said. "Now, Roger, look about for a fallen
tree. We have passed scores on our way. You must get a thoroughly
rotten one, and cut away a portion of the under side; it will be dry
enough, there."

"You might get a little of that to start with," Roger said; "but the
ground is covered everywhere with fir cones, and there is no better
stuff for fires."

Taking off his cloak he laid it down, and they both piled the fir cones
on this, until a great heap was collected. This they carried into their
shelter, through an opening they had left in the penthouse.

"We must have something dry to start it with. These cones are a great
deal too wet to burn, without a good heat to start them. There is
nothing better than the fir needles, master, if we can find some dry
ones."

After some searching, a considerable number of these needles were
collected; some lying under fallen trees, and others swept by the wind
into rocky corners, where the rain had not reached them.

"Now I think that we shall do, Roger."

As soon as they were inside, Roger produced a large lump of dry fungus
he had found, on the other side of the Severn; and, by the aid of his
flint and steel, soon succeeded in striking sparks upon it. As soon as
these began to spread, he put a little pile of fir needles on it; and,
blowing gently, bright flames soon darted up. A few more handfuls of
fuel were added, and fir cones placed at the top; and in a quarter of
an hour, a clear, bright fire was burning.

The dripping cloaks were hung up to the fir poles, to dry; and the
jerkins, which were also damp, although the water had not penetrated
through them, were spread near the fire.

"It was well that I bought this little skin of wine, last night," Roger
said. "You thought it was better to be without such a burden,