!"
I could not help exclaiming.

I had no stimulant, no medicine of any sort. I must trust, I knew,
alone to Nature, or rather, I should say, to the kind Being who directs
its laws. To Him I looked up and prayed that my young friend might
recover. Forgetting everything but Natty, I continued kneeling, holding
his head on my arm. At length, by the light of the fire, as night came
on, I saw his eyes opening.

"Push on, Andrew," he whispered; "we may still keep ahead of them! I
will run as fast as you do!"

I saw that his mind was wandering. Then he heaved a deep sigh.

"Are you better, Natty?" I asked.

"Oh yes. Where am I?" he asked, staring about him.

I told him I thought he had fainted, and begged that he would take some
food and then lie down. He had already torn off some of the leaves from
the boughs, and had made a sufficient bed for us; but, of course, we
intended that only one should sleep at a time.

At length, to my great joy, he was able to sit up by himself on the
ground. Finding this, I went to the fire to get the venison, which had
been left roasting before it. As may be supposed, it was somewhat
burned, but I was able to cut as many small slices from it as he could
eat. After tasting a piece, he said, "Do you take it, Andrew. I do not
think I want it." I pressed him, however; and in a little time he was
able to make a tolerable meal. I then placed him inside the hut,
telling him that I would sit up and keep watch till it was his turn, of
course intending to let him sleep on the whole of the night, if he could
do so.

I then made up the fire, finished the piece of burned venison, and sat
myself down in front of the hut. I looked in several times, and was
thankful at length to find that Natty was asleep, I felt a strong
inclination to sleep also, and had the greatest difficulty in keeping
myself awake. Whenever I felt myself nodding, I got up and walked
about; but I was tired, and certainly required rest. At last I did what
many a sentinel has done under similar circumstances. Though believing
I was quite awake, I fell fast asleep. Even in my dreams I thought I
was getting up, walking about, and then sitting down again, and then
going to look in at Natty. Then I thought I made up the fire. I was
somewhat surprised that it did not blaze as readily as before. By this
time I was fast asleep. At length I thought I went in to look at Natty
again, when what was my horror not to fi