old grub. I know what made
that sound. Come along."

"What, are you going to risk it, sir, in spite of all I said?"

"Yes; I am going on there."

"Very well, sir. I didn't want to die like this in the dark, and I
don't know whether weapons is of any use against things like that; but
I'll stand by you, Master Fred, to the end."

As he spoke, there was a faint grating sound which attracted Fred's
attention.

"Were you drawing your sword?" he whispered.

"Yes, sir."

"What for?"

"To cut the guytrash down, if I can."

"Put it away," whispered Fred, angrily. "What you have come to see
wants no cutting down. It's a wounded man."

"Oh!" ejaculated Samson, as he thrust his sword back into its sheath.
"Why didn't you say so sooner, Master Fred?"

"This way--this way," came back to him, accompanied by the rustling of
branches and the sharp tearing noise made by thorns. "Yes; here we
are."

Samson followed closely, with his arms outstretched, and in a minute or
two he heard a sound which made him bend down to feel that Fred was
kneeling, and the next moment talking to some one prostrate there in the
darkness.

"Well, how are you?"

"Is that you, Master Fred?" came in a husky whisper, which made Samson
start.

"Yes; I've brought you some bread and wine. How are the wounds?"

"Don't give me much pain, sir, now."

"Master Fred."

"Well?"

"Who's that?"

"Can't you hear, Samson? Your brother Nat."

There was utter silence for a minute, during which it seamed as if
Samson was holding his breath, for at the end of that pause, he gave
vent to a low hissing sound, which continued till it seemed wonderful
that the man should have been able to retain so much air.

"Drink some of this," Samson heard Fred whisper; and there was the
peculiar gurgling sound as of liquid escaping from a bottle, followed by
another whisper bidding the sufferer eat.

"Look here, Master Fred," said Samson, as soon as he had sufficiently
recovered from his surprise to speak.

"What is it?"

"Do you know who it is you're talking to there in the dark?"

"Yes; your brother Nat."

Samson remained silent and motionless as one of the trees for a minute.
Then he caught Fred by the shoulder.

"What is it, Samson? Do you hear any one?"

"No, sir; I was only thinking about what I ought to do now. Just stand
aside, and let me come."

"What for?"

"Well, sir, that's what I don't know. Ought I to--? You see, he's an
ene