this angle we shall be
able to quench our thirst. Ah! we are just in time."

As he spoke an arrow struck the rock close to them and dropped at their
feet. Others came in rapid succession; and, looking at the brow of the
opposite side of the ravine, they saw a number of natives.

"Pull the bear's body across the mouth of the cave," Malchus said, "it
will prevent the arrows which strike the rock in front from glancing in.
The little bears will do for food at present."

They were soon in the cave, which opened beyond the entrance and
extended some distance into the mountain; it was seven or eight feet
wide and lofty enough to stand upright in. Nessus lay down behind the
bear, with his bow and arrow so as to command the angle of the rock.
Malchus seated himself further in the cave, sheltered by the entrance
from the arrows which from time to time glanced in at the mouth. Only
once did Nessus have to shoot. The natives on the ledge, informed by
their comrades on the opposite side of the gorge that their foes had
sought refuge in the cave, ventured to advance; but the moment the first
turned the corner he fell over the precipice, transfixed by an arrow
from the bow of Nessus, and the rest hastily retreated.

"Hand me your flint and steel, Nessus, and a piece of fungus. I may as
well have a look round the cave."

A light was soon procured, and Malchus found that the cave extended some
fifty feet back, narrowing gradually to the end. It had evidently been
used for a long time by wild animals. The floor was completely covered
with dry bones of various sizes.

As soon as he saw that this was the case Malchus tore off a strip of his
linen shirt, and rolling it into a ball set it on fire. On this he
piled up small bones, which caught readily, and he soon had a bright
and almost smokeless fire. He now took the place of Nessus. The latter
skinned and cut up one of the small bears, and soon had some steaks
broiling over the fire. By this time it was getting dusk without.

When the meat was cooked Nessus satisfied his hunger and then sallied
out from the cave and took his post as sentry with his spear close to
the angle of the rock, as by this time the natives on the opposite side,
being no longer able to see in the gathering darkness, had ceased
to shoot. Malchus ate his food at his leisure, and then joined his
companion.

"We must get out of here somehow, Nessus. Our company will search for us
tomorrow; but they might searc