the next few days would be burdened
with fatigue and hardship which he must be prepared to meet.

Bobby was not nice about trifles, and his habits were such that he had
no fear of taking cold. His comfortable bed in the little black house
was preferable to the cold ground, even with the primeval forest for a
chamber; but circumstances alter cases, and he did not waste any vain
regrets about the necessity of his position. After finding a secluded
spot in the wood, he raked the dry leaves together for a bed, and
offering his simple but fervent prayer to the Great Guardian above, he
lay down to rest. The owl screamed his dismal note, and the
whip-poor-will still repeated his monotonous song; but they were good
company in the solitude of the dark forest.

He could not go to sleep for a time, so strange and exciting were the
circumstances of his position. He thought of a thousand things, but
he could not _think_ himself to sleep, as he was wont to do. At
last nature, worn out by fatigue and anxiety, conquered the
circumstances, and he slept.

CHAPTER XIX

IN WHICH BOBBY HAS A NARROW ESCAPE, AND GOES TO SEA WITH SAM RAY

Nature was kind to the little pilgrim in his extremity, and kept his
senses sealed in grateful slumber till the birds had sung their matin
song, and the sun had risen high in the heavens.

Bobby woke with a start, and sprang to his feet. For a moment he did
not realize where he was, or remember the exciting incidents of the
previous evening. He felt refreshed by his deep slumber, and came out
of it as vigorous as though he had slept in his bed at home. Rubbing
his eyes, he stared about him at the tall pines whose foliage canopied
his bed, and his identity was soon restored to him. He was Bobby
Bright--but Bobby Bright in trouble. He was not the little merchant,
but the little fugitive fleeing from the prison to which he had been
doomed.

It did not take him long to make his toilet, which was the only
advantage of his primitive style of lodging. His first object was to
examine his position, and ascertain in what direction he should
continue his flight. He could not go ahead, as he had intended, for
the sheet of water was an impassable barrier. Leaving the dense
forest, he came to a marsh, beyond which was the wide creek he had
seen in the night. It was salt water, and he reasoned that it could
not extend a great way inland. His only course was to follow it till
he found means of crossing it.