d our
stomachs. I have got enough for the sick man, who requires it more than
we do; but we must not let him know that we have none, or he will
probably refuse to touch it."

"We can at all events procure some water," said Le Duc. "Give me your
hats, gentlemen; they will hold as much as we want."

Though Rayner and Oliver would have preferred some other means of
obtaining the water, they willingly gave their hats to Le Duc, who crept
out with them, and soon returned with both full to the brim.

The thirst of the party being quenched, for a short time they suffered
much less than before from the pangs of hunger.

Tom and Brown were ready to do what their officers wished, only Tom
groaned at having nothing to eat.

Jack slept on while the rest again lay down. The light which came
through the bushes began somewhat to decrease, and Rayner saw that the
sun was sinking behind the trees in the west. He was watching Jack, who
at length awoke. The moment he opened his eyes, Rayner offered him the
food he had kept ready in his pocket.

"Come, Jack, stow this away in your inside as fast as you can, that you
may have strength to go on as soon as it is time to start. We don't
intend to spend our lives here, like mice in a hole." Jack did as he
was bid, without asking questions. Just as he had finished, Tom groaned
out, "I shall die soon if I don't get something to eat."

"Nonsense lad; you can hold out for a few hours longer," replied Brown.
"I'm just as bad as you are, for that matter."

Le Duc guessed what they were talking about. He himself felt
desperately hungry.

"I tell you what, messieurs, without food we shall make slow progress.
I'll go into the village and try to procure some. I shall easily learn
from some person, before I venture to enter, whether the gendarmes are
there, and if they are not, we shall be safe for the present. They
will, I hope, fancying that you made your way back to the house of
Madame La Roche, have gone off there. We must hope for the best, and I
will try and invent some reason for wishing to purchase food. The kind
lady supplied me with money, so that I shall have no difficulty on that
score."

Rayner, who in reality suffered more than any one, as he had had less to
eat, at last consented to the proposal of Le Duc, who set off.

As soon as he had gone the bushes were drawn close again. The party sat
in silence, anxiously waiting his return.

They waited and waited. Agai