expressed, when, oh! joy, the distant sound of a human voice was heard,
which every second grew louder and louder, and then a bright glittering
light was seen in the distance approaching. His uncle and the chief had
returned, bearing new torches, the light of which awoke the sleepers,
who were much refreshed by their repose.

"Come," said Howe, "we must make our way some three miles farther,
where we can find not only daylight, but plenty of wood and water, and
as I am getting ravenous, we must hurry on."

"Then you have found an outlet!" cried the children. "Oh, uncle, we may
yet see home again."

"Certainly, you not only may, but probably will. We have undoubtedly
gone right through the mountain, and as the cannibals will never think
we have effected this, all we have to do is, to be wary, so as to
escape from roving parties, and we shall be safe enough."

They were soon at the outlet, which they found was concealed by a
stone, like the inlet, and the only way the trapper and chief had
discovered it, was by the daylight that came peeping through its
crevices; for night had already gone and the day again was nearly
spent. They thought it prudent to build their fire for cooking a little
way in the cavern to prevent being discovered, and after satisfying
their hunger with broiled venison, for which their long fast had
sharpened their appetites, they put out their fire, and as it began to
grow dark, fastened the outlet of the cavern, and laid down to rest.
Their only bed now was the earth, having left the pebbles, full a mile
behind them. Sweet and calm were their slumbers, for they felt secure
and free.

Chapter Eighth.

A Night of invigorating Repose. Entering the unknown Wild. They capture
a mountain sheep. The encampment attacked by Panthers. They save
themselves by climbing a tree, and building up fires. The Panthers kill
one of their pack. They continue their journey. Whirlwind becomes lost.
They find a wild Goat. They start for the mountains. Everything strange
about them. Their Deception. Talk of preparing for Winter. Encampment
at the base of the mountain.

Our wanderers awoke the next morning from a long and refreshing sleep,
and on rolling away the stone from the outlet of the cavern they found
the sun up, and the forest vocal with the feathered songsters. Never
sounded melody sweeter than that; and, as the birds jumped from branch
to branch, or soared away on free wing, trilling their sweet not