e still kept him from asking any
questions. In silence he followed Lannes, who was traveling upward. The
region now became utterly dreary, steep, stony and rain-washed.

Not even the thrifty European peasant could have drawn any part of a
living from those blasted rocks.

They came at last to the crest of the hills, or rather low mountains,
and passed into a depression which looked to John like some age-old
crater. Then he heard Lannes draw a deep breath, almost a sigh, and he
knew it was caused by relief of the mind rather than of the body.

"Well, we're here," said Lannes, sitting down at the stony edge of the
crater.

"Yes, we're here," said John, also sitting down, "and being here, where
are we?"

Lannes laughed. It was a pleased and friendly laugh, and John recognized
it as such.

"Wait until we draw about a hundred long breaths apiece," said Lannes,
"and then we'll have action."

"Suits me. That was a big climb."

As they rested, John looked down with renewed interest at the crater. He
saw that the center of it was quite level, and evidently the soil on
that spot was rich, as it was covered with thick long grass. Nearer by,
among the stones, lay faggots, and also smaller pieces of wood.

"John," said Lannes, at the end of a few minutes, "you'll help me with
these billets, won't you?"

"Of course. What do you want to do?"

"To build a fire. Aren't you cold?"

"I hadn't thought about it. I'm not likely to notice either heat or cold
at such a time."

Lannes laughed. It was a low laugh of satisfaction, but wholly without
irony.

"You're not cold," he said, "nor am I, and if we were we wouldn't build
a fire to keep us warm. But we're going to build one."

They laid the faggots and smaller pieces together, and then cut off dry
splinters with their clasp knives. Lannes set fire to the splinters with
a match, and the two stood away. The blaze spread rapidly, and soon
crackled and burned at a merry rate, sending up high flames.

"Aren't you afraid the fire will warn some one?" asked John.

"I hope so," was the startling reply.

Lannes threw on more wood. He seemed anxious that the flames should rise
higher. They obeyed his wish, shooting upward, and sending streams of
sparks far above. Then he stepped back, and, sitting down on a stone,
began to look into the skies, not a stray glance, but a long, unbroken
anxious gaze.

The heavens were yet brightening. More stars sprang out, the segment of
the m