ts and the
duller gleam from musket-barrels. In one case, too, the men were
sheltering themselves beneath a tree, and this sent an additional pang
of suffering through the lad, as he felt for the first time that the sun
was playing with burning force upon his neck.

"It's of no use," he said. "Even if they see me, I must move."

But he made the movement with the mental excuse that it was to see how
his wounded companion fared.

It only meant seizing hold of a clump of wiry heather twice over and
drawing himself to where his face was close to the sleeper. Then he
resigned himself again with a sigh to try and bear his position.

"He's best off," he muttered, "bad as he is, for he can't feel what I
do."

How the rest of that day of scorching sunshine and cruel thirst passed
onward Pen Gray could not afterwards recall. For the most part it was
like a feverish dream, till he awoke to the fact that the sun was
sinking fast, and that from time to time a gentle breath of cool air was
wafted down from the mountains.

Then the hunger began to torture him again, though at times the thirst
was less. His brain was clearer, though, and he lay alternately
watching the vedettes and noting that they had somewhat changed their
positions, and trying to perfect his plans as to what he must do as soon
as the shades of night should render it possible for him to move unseen.

Finally, the last sentry was completely blotted out by the gathering
darkness; and, uttering the words aloud, "Now for it!" Pen tried to
raise himself to his knees before proceeding to carry out his plan, when
he sank back again with an ejaculation half of wonder, half of dread.
For a feeling of utter numbness shot through him, paralysing every
movement; while, prickling and stinging, every fibre of his frame
literally quivered as he lay there in despair, feeling that all his
planning had been in vain, and that now the time had arrived when he
might carry out his attempt in safety the power of movement had
absolutely gone.

How long he lay like this he could not tell, but it was until the
night-breeze was coming down briskly from the mountains, and the sound
of the plashing water far below sent a sudden feeling of excitement
through his nerves.

"Water!" he muttered. "Water, or I shall die!"

CHAPTER FIVE.

HARD WORK.

It was like coming back to life. In an instant Pen felt full of energy
and excitement once more. The pangs of hunger suppleme