"That proves it, Esau," I said. "How could you see their knives, and
eyes, and teeth here in this darkness! Why, you can't see my face, not
even your own hands, and yet the fire's brighter than it was before."

"Well, that is rum," cried Esau, as if to himself. "I saw 'em all as
plain as could be, and they shouted their war-cry."

"War!--gammon!" said Gunson, crossly. "Lie down, you two fellows, and
go to sleep. He was dreaming, Gordon. Don't listen to his
cock-and-bull nonsense."

"All right," I said. "Good-night."

"Good-night."

"Good-night, Esau."

"Good-night. But dreaming! Well, of all! And they were as plain as
could be, and had got feathers in their heads."

"Yes, blue ones," I said, grumpily. "And look here, Esau, if you're
going to dance a war-dance on my chest again, please to take off your
boots."

Esau chuckled, and the last thing I heard as I dropped asleep again was
Esau muttering to himself--

"Asleep!--dreaming! Well, of all!"

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.

I SEE FOOTPRINTS.

Esau was quite right; he had a terribly discoloured eye next morning,
and it was the first thing I saw as we both sat up together in the soft
light under the great pine, though I was half asleep still. But I had
started up on hearing a shrill voice close to me say--

"Bleakfass all ready."

"Come and bathe your face, Esau," I said; and I led the way down to the
water's edge to have a good wash, Gunson and Esau following my example,
while when we got back to the fire it was to find that Quong had been
making himself quite at home with our stores. For not only had he cut
up and cooked some bacon, and made the tea, but he had found the
flour-bag; and there, upon a piece of sheet-iron, was a large bread-cake
freshly baked in the embers.

Gunson laughed as he saw these preparations, but he said no more till we
had partaken of a hearty meal. Then the four Indians came up to be
paid, readily taking the dollars promised for the trip, and going back
directly to the boat to land the boxes; but Gunson followed them, and
they agreed to take them to the front of the biggest shanty about half a
mile higher up, waiting till we were ready.

Quong was busy now making his breakfast, and Gunson turned to him.

"Now, my Celestial friend," he said; "we're going to say good-bye to
you. Where are you bound for?"

"Up libber, washee gole."

Gunson started.

"What?" he cried.

"Up libber, washee gole."

"Who told