far as we could judge in the
uncertain light of the evening, to be a place well suited for our
purpose; and we accordingly hunted about till we found a spot where we
could light a fire and lie down to rest. This was not very easy, but at
length we discovered a small open space covered with grass. Gale cut
away the bushes round it, and piling up some in the centre, we lighted a
fire. The flames, as they burned up, showed us the wild character of
the place we were in. Dark rocks appeared here and there among the
brushwood, and tall trees towered above our heads, effectually screening
the light of our fire from any persons who might by chance have been in
our neighbourhood.

We boiled our cocoa, and parched our heads of Indian corn, and then
prepared to rest.

"We might be worse off; and so, mates, I don't think we've any cause to
complain," observed Ned Gale as he surveyed our abode.

This was a favourite expression of his; and he was always contented,
whatever happened. I felt grateful; for though our prospects for the
future were uncertain, we were at all events at liberty, with a fair
chance of escaping our enemies. Ned Gale had a little black pipe which
he prized much, and a small supply of tobacco, which he husbanded with
the greatest care. He lighted his pipe, and sat over the fire enjoying
his smoke in silence.

As usual, we took it by turns to watch and to keep our fire alight.
Pedro and Ned Gale had been sleeping for some time, when, finding that
the fire required feeding, I rose to put some more sticks upon it. As
the flames burst forth more brightly than before, their light shone on
the high branches of the trees, when, happening to look up, I saw just
above as a face peering down from among the foliage. It seemed to be
watching us very attentively; the owner fancying, probably, from his
position, that he was unobserved. As he put his head more forward to
get a better sight of us, I saw that he was an old black man with a
white head; and immediately it struck me that he was employed as a scout
to watch us by the Spaniards. My first impulse was to rouse my
companions.

"Ned Gale, Ned Gale," I sung out, "the Spaniards are after us I am
afraid."

He sprung to his feet, and looking anxiously around, grasped one of his
pistols, like a man ever ready to encounter danger.

"Where are they?" he asked. "I don't see them."

"There, there," I answered, pointing at the trees.

He and Pedro turned t