lish, however, it is
more probable that his astute mind was concentrated on the roasting
duck.

CHAPTER FOUR.

A DISCOVERY--THE CHASE CONTINUED ON FOOT.

To bound from the depths of despair to the pinnacles of hope is by no
means an uncommon experience to vigorous youth. When Victor Ravenshaw
awoke next morning after a profound and refreshing sleep, and looked up
through the branches at the bright sky, despondency fled, and he felt
ready for anything. He was early awake, but Peegwish had evidently been
up long before him, for that wrinkled old savage had kindled the fire,
and was seated on the other side of it wrapped in his blanket, smoking,
and watching the preparation of breakfast. When Victor contemplated his
solemn eyes glaring at a roasting duck, which suggested the idea that he
had been sitting there and glaring all night, he burst into an
uncontrollable fit of laughter.

"Come, I say, Vic," said Ian, roused by this from a comfortable nap, "if
you were a hyena there might be some excuse for you, but being only a
man--forgive me, a boy--you ought to have more sense than to disturb
your friends so."

"Oui, yes; dat is troo. Vraiment, it is too bad," growled Rollin,
sitting up and stretching himself. "Howsomewhatever, it is time to
rise. Oui!"

"I should think it was," retorted Victor; "the sun is already up, and
you may be sure that Petawanaquat has tramped some miles this morning.
Come, Peegwish, close your eyes a bit for fear they jump out. What have
you got to give us, eh? Robbiboo, ducks, and--no, is it tea? Well, we
_are_ in luck to have fallen in with you."

He rested his head on his hand, and lay looking at the savage with a
pleased expression, while Rollin rose and went off to cut more firewood.

The robbiboo referred to was a sort of thick soup made of pemmican
boiled with flour. Without loss of time the party applied themselves to
it. When appetite was partially appeased Ian propounded the question,
What was to be done?

"Follow up the trail as fast as we can," said Victor promptly.

"Dat is bon advise," observed Rollin. "Hand over de duck, Peegvish, an'
do try for shut your eyes. If you vould only vink it vould seem more
comfortabler."

Peegwish did not smile, but with deepened gravity passed the duck.

"I'm not so sure of the goodness of the advice," said Ian. "To go
scampering into the woods on a chase that may lead us we know not where
or how long, with only a small q