n of weariness which comes to the healthy and strong; and he had
been feeling a glow of satisfaction and thankfulness for the full
recovery of all his faculties, when Pete had spoken as he did. It was
not surprising, then, that the heavy breathing of his companion should
have the effect it had, and that, just when he was in the midst of
pleasant thoughts of the possibility of escape, he should suddenly pass
from extreme wakefulness into deep sleep, in which he saw the red cliffs
of Devon again, with the sparkling sea, and listened to the soft murmur
of the falls low down in the combe. Back home once more.

Then he opened his eyes with a start.

"I've been asleep," he said to himself, as he listened to Pete's heavy
breathing; "not for many minutes, though," he mused; and then he
wondered and stared, for he could see the cracks and knot-holes of the
wooden building against the grey dawn of the rapidly-coming day.

"Why, I must have been asleep for hours and hours!" he mentally
ejaculated.

Proof came the next moment that it must have been eight hours at least,
for the dull booming bellow of the great conch shell blown by one of the
blacks rang out, and Pete started up in his bunk to stare at Nic and rub
his calf softly.

"Had a good night, Pete?" said the lad.

"Tidy," said the man softly; "but one o' the dogs had me by the leg."

"What! Surely you didn't go?"

"Ay, but I did. He let go, though, when he smelt the roast meat. Smelt
better than raw."

"Pete!" ejaculated Nic, in his surprise.

"Now then, rouse up, all on you," shouted Humpy Dee, "or they'll be
sending in the dogs for us, and the cat for some one else."

"Oh," thought Nic, as a pang of agony shot through him; "that wretch
must have been on the watch."

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.

PETE THINKS HE HAS FOUND IT.

In the morning, as the eternal hoeing went on, Pete found his
opportunity for telling of his adventures during the night. Humpy Dee
had evidently heard nothing.

"Keep at it, Master Nic," he said; "this here stuff's growed up zo that
there's no telling when they're coming on to you. It's all right
though, now."

"Tell me, then, quickly. You got out?"

"Zure I did. I meant to, and had a good long night of it."

"And you're sure the dog hasn't hurt you much?"

"Nay, on'y a pinch; I had the meat ready to shove in his face, But there
aren't much to tell you."

"I was afraid so. We must be patient, Pete, and live on hope."