nd a third of the stale cakes, and with these in his
pocket as token that he would not go supperless to bed, and Snip on
his arm, he resumed the flight once more.

After a brisk walk of half an hour, still on a course directly away
from the river, as he believed, Seth began to look about him for a
shelter during the night.

"We'll stop at the first house that looks as if the folks who live in
it might be willin' to help two fellers like us along, an' ask if we
can stay all night," he said to Snip, speaking in a more cheery tone
than he had indulged in since the fear-inspiring advertisement had
been brought to his attention.

He did not adhere strictly to this plan, however, for when he was come
to a farmhouse which had seemed to give token of sheltering generous
people, a big black dog ran out of the yard growling and snapping,
much to Snippey's alarm, and Seth hurried on at full speed.

"That wouldn't be any place for you, young man," he said, patting the
dog's head. "We'll sleep out of doors rather than have you scared half
to death!"

Ten minutes later he knocked at the door of a house, and, on making
his request to a surly-looking man, was told that they "had no use for
tramps."

Seth did not stop to explain that he could not rightly be called a
tramp; but ran onward as if fearful lest the farmer might pursue to
punish him for daring to ask such a favor.

Three times within fifteen minutes did he ask in vain for a shelter,
and then his courage had oozed out at his fingers' ends.

"If Pip Smith was here he'd see that there ain't much milk an' pie
layin' 'round to be picked up, an' it begins to look, Snippey, as if
we'd better stayed down there by the brook."

Master Snip growled as if to say that he too believed they had made a
mistake in pushing on any farther, and the sun hid his face behind the
hills as a warning for young boys and small dogs to get under cover.

Seth was discouraged, and very nearly frightened. He began to fear
that he might get himself and Snip into serious trouble by any further
efforts at finding a charitably disposed farmer, and after the shadows
of night had begun to lengthen until every bush and rock was distorted
into some hideous or fantastic shape, he was standing opposite a small
barn adjoining a yet smaller dwelling.

No light could be seen from the building; it was as if the place had
been deserted, and such a state of affairs seemed more promising to
Seth than any he ha