ught.

If he ever lived to see his friends at home what an experience would be
his to tell! The burning steamer, the hours spent in drifting ashore,
the wanderings through the wilds of California, this adventure among the
hills--surely they were enough to last a life-time.

Now and then a cold draft of wind swept by him, as though the
temperature of the air was changing. It was in fact the premonition of
the gathering storm to which we have referred in another place.

Elwood had been in his constrained position a couple of hours when he
was subjected to a terrible fright. Suddenly some dirt and stones
commenced moving near him and he felt it strike his feet. He was fearful
that a landslide was about to take place, but did not dare attempt to
get out of the way. He could only shrink closer against the rocks, pray
to Heaven for protection, and await the issue.

The pebbles rattled around him for a long time, and when they had nearly
ceased he learned that the whole tumult was caused by some wild animal.
This dissipated all fear of being engulfed by a landslide, but scarcely
relieved him. It was simply a change of species in the danger.

He could hear the footsteps of the animal as it walked back and forth.
They sounded above his head, but he could not judge with certainty.
Several times it gave a low growl, from which he was sure that it was
dangerous, and if it knew of his presence and could reach him would
speedily end his reckless conduct forever.

The animal was still for a while and the boy was indulging in the belief
that it had gone, when he heard its footsteps so near that his hair
fairly rose with terror. He stooped down and felt around in the darkness
for his gun, but it was not within reach. He caught a huge stone and
held it in reserve for defense.

Straining his eyes through the darkness, he fancied he could see a dark
object above him; but it was only fancy, for to his excited imagination
the most extraordinary phantoms were flitting before him--floating in
the air, around and above him, like the wonderful visions that visit us
in delirium--until he closed his eyes to shut out the tormenting
figures.

Perhaps, after all, the presence of the wild animal was the means of
saving him, for it kept his mind down to the hard, practical fact that
imminent danger was close at hand, and all his thoughts were needed to
meet it. He stood a long time grasping the stone and expecting the
assault; but the tumult f