with his back to the
rock, that he might enjoy it all without fatigue of body.

Need it be said what followed? He had not been seated ten minutes when
his senses left him and he became as unconscious as Fred Greenwood,
asleep in the cavern, on the other side of the smouldering fire. The
hours passed until the light of the moon paled before the rosy hues of
the rising sun, and still the boys slumbered and knew naught of what was
passing around them.

CHAPTER X.

THE SIGNAL-FIRES.

Jack Dudley was awakened by the sound of laughter. Opening his eyes, he
stared about him confusedly, unable for some moments to recall his
situation. Fred Greenwood stood in front of him, shaking so much with
mirth that he could scarcely stand.

"O faithful sentinel!" he said; "how well thou hast kept thy trust!"

"I don't see anything to laugh at," replied Jack, rising to his feet and
rubbing his eyes; "you would have done the same if you had been in my
place."

"Perhaps I should, and then the laugh would have been on me. But we have
cause to be thankful that, while no harm has come to us, we have had a
good night's rest. I suppose you dropped into slumber almost as soon as
I did."

"No, I didn't," persisted the elder; "I stood here a long time, but made
the mistake of sitting down for a few minutes, just before it was time
to call you. I ought to have known better, and shall never do the like
again."

"Well, we have been fortunate and it has taught us both a lesson. Let's
attend to our toilet and have breakfast."

They laved their faces and hands in the cold stream of clear water
running near them, combed their hair, stretched and limbered arms and
legs by a series of gymnastics to which they were accustomed, and then,
returning to the mouth of the cavern, found, by raking over the ashes,
that enough live embers remained to broil the venison more acceptably
than any meal that had been prepared since coming to the region.

By that time Jack had recovered his usual good nature, and was as ready
to jest as his companion over his dereliction of duty.

"I don't know what time it was when I fell asleep," he said, "but it
must have been past midnight. The moon had risen over that high mountain
yonder, and I was admiring the wonderful picture its rays made as they
shot out over the lower peaks and lit up the chasms between. I never saw
anything so beautiful."

"You ought to have called me to share the pleasure with you."

"