shed the fire, and the billy was boiling
ready for its pinch of tea, and the newly made cake baking, by the time
Abel opened his eyes and sighed.

"What a useless log I am, Dal," he said.

"Are you?"

"Yes, I lie here doing nothing. How is the dog?"

"Quite dry and fluffy."

"But he is not dead?"

"No; but are we to give him house room?"

"Could we turn him out into the snow?"

Dallas began to whistle softly, and turned the cake on the round iron
pan which answered for many purposes. "It's the same dog, Bel," he said
at last.

"Then the intelligent beast has tracked us out."

"Been a long time about it."

"Dogs are very grateful creatures."

"Rum way of showing his gratitude to come and sponge upon two poor
fellows who are half starving. Meal bag's awfully low."

"You must try for something with the gun. What's the weather like this
morning?"

"Dark and cold, but clear starlight, and a sprinkle of fresh snow on the
ground."

"A sprinkle?"

"Yes; three feet deep outside the door."

"Have you been out?"

"Yes; and found I was right about the tree. There must have been
lightning, I think. I'm glad it was that."

"Yes. I wonder how old Tregelly has got on. It's very lonely where he
is."

"So it is here."

"How snug the fire looks, Dal!" said Abel, after a pause.

"Yes; cheery, isn't it? Cake smells good. How does the foot feel?"

"Not so painful this morning after the rest. But, Dal!"

"Well?"

"I lay thinking last night after you had gone to sleep, and you really
must not go down to the town."

"Must, old chap."

"No, no; don't leave me."

"But you'll have company now--the dog."

"Go round when it's daylight, and try what stores you can get from the
men round us."

"It isn't reasonable, Bel. Every one is as short as we are."

"Starving Englishmen are always ready to share with their brothers in
distress."

"Yes; but their brothers in distress who are strong and well, and who
have enough gold to buy food, have too much conscience to rob them."

"How much longer can we hold out?"

"I don't know," said Dallas, "and I don't want to know. Stores are
getting terribly low, and that's near enough for me. But what do you
say to the dog?"

"Poor brute! We must keep him."

"I meant killing and eating him."

"No, you didn't. Dal, I'm better this morning; the coming of that poor
dog like a fellow-creature in distress seems to have cheered me up."

"That's right. Th