on the straw. I quickly followed his example, creeping as
close to his side as I could for the sake of the warmth, and thus we lay
in the dark, resting as we had never rested before after our day's work.

"My own fear was lest I should fall asleep. In spite of my anxiety
about my father, and my bitter reproaches against myself, I felt a
stupor come over me which it was almost more than human nature to
resist. Once or twice I dozed off for a moment, and then woke by an
effort, each time more painful, until I was tempted at last to give in
and resist no longer, whatever it cost.

"I had just come to this resolve when I became suddenly aware of the
sound of voices in the cottage. Whoever they belonged to, I felt sure
they must have entered after me, for I had explored every corner of the
place when I took possession. They had probably entered during one of
my fits of drowsiness."

My first impulse was to discover myself to the new comers, and see if
they could help me and my horse in our distress. But on second thoughts
I decided to remain where I was until I could ascertain at least who the
intruders were, and if they had any better right in the cottage than I
had. I was wide awake now, and raising myself noiselessly from my
horse's side, I crawled to the side of the stall and peered over.

"By the uncertain light of a small fire of sticks which they had made, I
saw two men sitting on the floor regaling themselves with bread and meat
and the contents of a bottle. The sight of these good things made me
still more inclined to disclose my presence, but prudence again forbade;
besides which there was something strange about the look of the men, and
the place where they were, which excited my curiosity.

"For a long time they continued their meal in silence. It went to my
heart to see the victuals disappearing at such a rate, as you may
suppose.

"At length, when, for the present at any rate, their appetites seemed to
be appeased, they began to talk once more.

"`You're sure there's no mistake this time?' said one.

"`I have his own word for it,' replied the other. `I tell you, Tom,
he's planned it all out like Bonaparte himself.'

"`All I can say is,' said he who was called Tom, `I hope something will
come of it, for I'm sick of all this doing nothing.'

"`You may be sure something will come of this,' replied the other; `and
it will be something worth the while too, unless I'm mistaken, for the
old gentle