t down, for he soon grew tired of standing and walking about, and
listened to Bob's heavy breathing, for the boy had gone off at once.

It was very dark under the trees, and he could only see the glint of a
star from time to time. It felt cold too, but as he drew himself close
together with his chin down upon his knees he soon forgot that, and
began thinking about the two owls he had heard the past night. Then he
thought about the long-legged herons he had seen fishing in the water;
then about their own fishing, and what capital fish the smelts were.

From that he began to think about hunting out the cray-fish from the
banks, and how one of the little things had nipped his fingers quite
sharply.

Next he began to wonder what Helen Grayson thought about him, and what
the doctor had said, and whether he should ever see them again, and
whether he should like Bob any better after a time, when camping out
with him, and how long it would be before they reached one of the
beautiful hot countries, where you could gather cocoa-nuts off the trees
and watch the lovely birds as they flitted round.

And then he thought about how long it would be before he might venture
to call Bob.

And then he began thinking about nothing at all.

When he opened his eyes next it was morning, with the sun shining
brightly, and the birds singing, and Bob Dimsted had just kicked him in
the side.

"Here, I say, wake up," he cried. "Why, you've been to sleep."

"Have I!" said Dexter sheepishly, as he stared helplessly at his
companion.

"Have yer? Yes; of course yer have," cried Bob angrily. "Ain't to be
trusted for a moment. You're always a-going to sleep. Whatcher been
and done with that there boat!"

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX.

IN DIRE STRAITS.

"Done with the boat?"

"I haven't done anything with the boat."

"Then where is it?"

"Fastened up to that old tree."

"Oh, is it!" cried Bob derisively. "I should like to see it, then.
Come and show me!"

Dexter ran to the water's edge, and found the place on the bark where
the chain had rubbed the trunk, but there was no sign of the boat.

"Now then," cried Bob fiercely, "where is it?"

"I don't know," said Dexter dolefully. "Yes, I do," he cried. "The
chain must have come undone, and it's floating away."

"Oh, is it?" said Bob derisively. "Then you'd better go and find it!"

"Go and find it?"

"Yes; we can't go to sea in our boots, can we, stoopid?"

"But which way sh