but the
weight of a gallon of wine doesn't count for much, and it makes all the
difference in our comfort, here."

The rain had soaked through their provision bags, but the bread and
meat in the centre were dry; and of these they made a hearty meal and,
laying the wetted food round the fire to dry, they wound up the repast
with a long draught of wine.

"Now, as soon as our breeches are dry, Master Oswald, we shall be
thoroughly comfortable."

"Yes, one can wish for nothing better. But we must not forget that some
Welshmen may come along, and if so, will be sure to want to know what
is inside."

"Then, unless there happen to be more than a dozen of them, their
curiosity may cost them dear," Roger said grimly. "I don't think there
is much fear of it. We have neither seen nor heard of any, since we
started; and it would be evil fortune, indeed, if a party happened to
come along just at this spot."

"The fact that we have heard no one is a bad sign, Roger; for it would
seem to show that we must have gone a long way out of our course."

The rain continued to fall heavily, all that afternoon and throughout
the night, and no change of the weather was discernible the next
morning.

"We had best stop here for another day, Roger, unless the sky clears;
we are not likely to find so good a place for shelter, and it is of no
use to wander about, when every step may be taking us farther away.
However, we can climb up to the top of this hill, at whose foot we are,
and endeavour to get a view over the country."

Roger shook his head.

"In this heavy mist we should not see a quarter of a mile away. We have
got all our clothes dry, now, and it would be a pity to get them wet
again, without need or profit. Anyhow, we will find some more of those
fir cones. Our supply is nearly gone."

In half an hour they had got sufficient to last them all day. There was
nothing for them then to do but sleep, one or other keeping watch, so
as to prevent the chance of their being surprised.

Before lying down for the night, Roger looked out.

"Methinks that the rain has stopped, though it would be difficult to
say, for the drops keep pattering down from the trees. Well, I mightily
hope that it will be a fine morning."

Oswald was first upon his feet and, on going out, uttered an
exclamation of satisfaction. The morning was breaking and, though light
clouds were moving across the sky, glimpses of the blue were visible,
here and there. Al