at the fire, but not until there had
been a general tidy up of our table.

"Nor'-east," said Gunson, laconically. Then in a very abrupt way, "Now
then, you've a hard day's work before you to-morrow, so roll yourselves
up in your blankets and go to sleep."

"Where?" I said. "She has not showed us our bedroom."

"No, because this is, as the old song says, `parlour and kitchen and
hall,' with sleeping accommodation included. There are plenty of fine
spreading spruces outside, though, if you prefer a bed there."

"Oh no," I said, as I began to realise that our journey now was going to
be very rough indeed; and thoroughly appreciating the value of the
blanket I had brought, I rolled myself in it, and lay down to think
wonderingly of where we should be to-morrow. I knew that I could not go
to sleep, but thought it better to obey Gunson in every way while he was
with us; and as I lay there, I saw him rise and stand thoughtfully
before the fire, while almost directly a sound arose from close by me as
if Esau was practising ventriloquism, and wanted to give a good
imitation of wood-sawing.

This grew so exasperating at last, that I should have kicked him to wake
him up if I had not been prevented by my blanket, which was twisted so
tightly round my legs that they would not move.

"I suppose he must be lying on his back," I remember thinking; and
directly after, as it seemed to me, when I looked at Gunson, whose
figure just before stood out big and black before the glowing fire, he
was not there.

I think I considered it rather strange, but I was under the impression
directly after that he had lain down too. Then there was a low, dull,
humming sound, which I knew came from the river, and then I was looking
up at Gunson, who was standing over me, with the fire lighting him on
one side, and the broad, warm glow of the rising sun on the other.

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.

OUR MORNING BATH.

"Well, have you had a good night's rest?" cried Gunson, smiling at me.

"Have--have I been asleep?" I said, sitting up.

"Asleep? Yes, for a good eight hours. There, tumble up. Your
washhand-basin is waiting for you. Now, Dean," he continued, touching
him with his foot, "are you going to lie there all day?"

"Don't--I say, be quiet. I've only just closed my eyes. Why! Eh? If
it ain't to-morrow morning!"

He got up and shook himself, and then followed my example of folding up
my blanket.

"Can you lads swim?"

"I