ly reached and plunged into the forest
when giving it up in despair.

"Mind the trees, sir," said Gedge warningly. "I've just ketched myself
an awful rap."

"Feel your way with your rifle," said Bracy hoarsely. "We need only go
a little farther, so as to be well in shelter."

So, after cautiously advancing about a hundred yards, feeling their way
from trunk to trunk, they stopped short beneath one of the largest
trees, and sank down amongst the fir-needles.

"Shall I make a fire, sir?" said Gedge; "here's heaps of wood as 'll
burn like hoorrah."

"Fire! Are you mad?" cried Bracy.

"No, sir; but I was feared you'd be cold."

"No fire, and no watch, my lad," said Bracy. "It would be impossible
for any one to find us here. Make the best meal you can in the dark;
then take out your revolver, and lie down with it in your hand, as I
shall. You must sleep as hard as you like till daybreak. Think you
can?"

Gedge said something indistinctly, for he had begun eating, but ten
minutes later his voice sounded clear again.

"Likely to be any bears, sir?" he said.

"Very likely," replied Bracy. "If one comes supper-hunting he'll wake
us by pawing us about and sniffing. Use your revolver then, only make
sure of his head. Good-night, my lad."

"Good-night, sir," said Gedge, snuggling himself as close as he could,
and nestling among the fir-needles. "Here," he muttered; "and I was
grumbling because I had to carry this here coat. Why, it's a patent
feather-bed, wool mattress, and blankets, all in one. Scrumptious!--How
my trotters aches!--And if one comes supper-hunting he'll wake us by
pawing us about and sniffing. `Use your revolver then, only make sure
of his head,' he says. Just as if I was going to fire at his tail! I
say, though, have bears got tails? I never see one at the 'Logical
Gardens as had--and it don't matter now. Well, this here is a change,
and--and--"

The next muttered word somehow stretched itself out thin, and into a
long deep-sighing breath, which seemed to be the echo of another close
at hand, and to have nothing to do with the cool breeze which rushed
through the pines, making that soft peculiar sound as of the sea
breaking upon a sandy shore; for the two adventurers, relieved of their
loads, and tightly buttoned up in their _poshtins_, were sleeping the
sleep of the weary through that long night, undisturbed by enemy, wild
beast, or dream.

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.

HUMAN STAL