ok a good deal of pressure, but at last the truth of the French
saying about its being only the first step that costs was proved, for
after the first mouthful, of which the poor fellow shudderingly partook,
the boy consented to open his mouth again, after holding out until his
amateur surgeon and nurse had consented to share the meal, which proved
refreshing to the patient, who partook of a little; while, bearing in
mind that he could at all events restore the fluid food, Pen ate
ravenously, his spirits rising with every mouthful.

"It will go hard," he said to himself, "if I can't forage something
else. There are the trout, to begin with. I know I can catch some of
them in the shallows, and that too without rod or line. That is," he
added, "if we are not found out and marched off as prisoners."

"Whatcher thinking about?" said Punch drowsily.

"Catching fish, and making a fire to cook them."

"There's my flint and steel in my satchel, but where's your fish?"

"In the river."

"But you can't catch 'em."

"Oh, can't I, Punch?"

"Oh yes, I know," piped the boy. "They are trout. I saw some the other
day when we crossed that stream. I saw some run under the stones, and
wanted to creep up and tiddle one, only I couldn't leave the ranks."

"Ah, well, there are no ranks to leave now, Punch, and we shall have
plenty of time to tiddle the trout, as you call it, for we shall have to
stay here till you get well."

"I say, don't talk, please. Want to go to sleep."

"That's right," said Pen cheerfully. "Sleep away, and I won't bathe
your wound till you wake again."

The boy made no answer, but dropped off at once.

"That's better," thought Pen, "and while he sleeps I will see whether I
can't get some of the trout."

He waited until his companion was breathing heavily, and then he seated
himself by the door and began to carefully clean his rifle and
accoutrements, which soldierly task at an end, he stood over the
sleeping boy a few minutes, and then stepped outside the dark hut to
plunge into the sunshine; but, recollecting himself, he stepped in
amongst the trees, and keeping close in their shelter moved from spot to
spot spending nearly half an hour searching every eminence for signs of
danger.

"The coast seems clear," he said to himself, "and the enemy may have
moved on; but I must be careful. I want to join our fellows, of course;
but if I'm made prisoner it will be the death of poor Punch, for they
a