we arn't; they'll be
awaitin' for us."

"Can't help it, Pan," said Syd with a sigh; "we've got to go through
it."

"I hope, Master Syd, you won't get no rope's-end."

"I'd take yours for you if I could, Pan."

"Ah, you say so," sneered the lad, as he dragged one foot after the
other, "but you know you can't."

"I know I would," cried Syd, hotly. "But it's of no use to talk. We've
got to go through it like men would."

"Men don't have no rope's-ending," grumbled Pan.

They went on back for another half-mile, with the stars shining
brightly, and seeming to wink derisively at them; and just as Sydney had
fancied this, as he gazed up at the broad band of glittering light seen
through the dense growth of trees which shut them in on either side, a
loud, ringing, mocking laugh smote their ears, that sounded so strange
and jeering, that the boys stopped short.

"What's that?" whispered Syd.

"Only a howl. Why, you've heard 'em lots of times."

"But it never sounded like that before."

"You never heard it out in the woods before. There she goes again."

The shout rang out again, but more distant. "Hoi, hoi, hoi, hoi!"
sounding now more like a hail.

"Oh, yes, it is an owl," said Sydney, breathing more freely. "Come
along."

Pan did not move, but stood with his hands in his pockets, and his
shoulders up to his ears.

"Do you hear? Come along, and let's get it over."

No answer--no movement.

"Don't be stupid, Pan. I know you're tired, but you are no more tired
than I am."

"Yes, I am--ever so much."

"You're not. You're pretending, because you don't want to come back.
Now then, no nonsense."

Pan stood like a stork, with his chin down upon his chest.

"Will--you--come--on?"

It was very dark, but Sydney could just make out that the boy shook his
head.

"Then it isn't because you are so tired. It's obstinacy."

No response.

"I declare you're as obstinate as an old donkey; and if you don't come
on I'll serve you the same."

Pan did not stir.

"Do you want me to cut a stick, and make you come, Pan?"

Still no reply; and weary, hungry, and disgusted with himself as well as
his companion, Sydney felt in that state of irritable rawness which can
best be described as having the skin off his temper. He was just in the
humour to quarrel; and now, stirred beyond bearing by his companion's
obstinacy, Syd flew at him, grasped his arm, gave it a tug which
snatched it from the pocket, and roa