ng, too, almost ravenously, and my sleep at nights,
instead of being broken and feverish, grew to be long and restful. But
somehow I did not feel happy, for Mr Raydon, though always pleasant and
polite, was less warm, and he looked at me still in a suspicious way
that made me feel uncomfortable.

In other respects everything went on as usual, till one day, about a
fortnight after Gunson's departure, Mr Raydon said to me at breakfast--

"Do you feel strong enough to go for a week's journey?"

"Oh yes," I said eagerly, for I was beginning to long for something in
the way of change.

"It means walking every step of the way," he said, smiling at my
eagerness.

"Oh, I can walk again well now," I said. "Dean and I were climbing up
the first west mountain yesterday--that one," I said, pointing out of
the window. "I don't know how many hours we were, but it was dark when
we came back."

"Well then, we'll try. I shall take Grey to try and lighten our loads a
little, but we shall not go very far down the river."

"You are going down the river?" I said, as I saw Esau prick up his
ears.

"Yes; I have two or three spots in my mind's eye that would be suitable
for a home for my sister, and I want to see if they will do. Perhaps
you noticed them as you came--places that you would naturally pick out
for camping as evening came on."

"I can remember several at the mouths of little streams, or below
falls," I said excitedly. "One or two were quite like bits of parks,
with great sweeping branched pine-trees growing near."

"Good memory, Mayne," he said, smiling. "Well, I have made my
arrangements. Your Chinaman shall go with us to cook, and we will
select three or four spots; and afterwards, when these travellers come,
we can take them to see the selection, and they can choose which they
like."

"How soon shall you start, sir?" I said.

"This morning. It is a leisure period for me. No Indians are likely to
come for some time; and I can leave my people to take care of the place
till we return. You feel that you can manage the walking?"

"Oh yes," I cried. "I am getting stronger every day."

"That's right. Dean, my lad, fetch Quong, and let's see what sort of a
load of flour, tea, and sugar we can pack up for him. I can easily
supply our little camp with meat."

"Then there will be some hunting and shooting too?" I said, as Esau
hurried out to find Quong.

"Oh yes, for the larder," replied Mr Raydon, sp