the fall, keeping a sharp
lookout the while, partly in search of danger, partly in the faint hope
that he might catch sight of their late compassionate visitor, who might
be on the way bearing a fresh addition to their scanty store.

But he encountered no sign of either friend or enemy. One minute he was
making his way amongst the gnarled cork-trees, the next he passed out to
where the soft, deep, lulling, musical sound of the fall burst upon his
ears; and soon after he was upon his knees drinking deeply of the fresh,
cool water, before rinsing out and carefully filling the wooden _seau_,
which he was in the act of raising from the pool when he started, for
there was a movement amongst the bushes upon the steep slope on the
other side of the falls.

Pen's heart beat heavily, for, fugitive as he was, the rustling leaves
suggested an enemy bent upon taking aim at him or trapping him as a
prisoner.

He turned to make his way back to the hut, and then as the water
splashed from the little wooden pail, he paused.

"What a coward I am!" he muttered, and, sheltering himself among the
trees, he began to thread his way between them towards where he could
pass among the rocks that filled the bed of the stream below the falls
so as to reach the other side and make sure of the cause of the movement
amidst the low growth.

"I dare say it was only goats," he said. "Time enough to run when I see
a Frenchman; but I wish I had brought my piece."

Keeping a sharp lookout for danger, he reached the other side of the
little river, and then climbed up the rocky bank, gained the top in
safety, and once more started violently, for he came suddenly upon a
goat which was browsing amongst the bushes and sprang out in alarm.

"Yes, I am a coward!" muttered the lad with a forced laugh; and,
stepping back directly, he lowered himself down the bank, recrossed the
stream, filled the little pail, and made his way to where his wounded
companion was waiting for him impatiently.

"Oh, I say, you have been a time!" grumbled the boy, "and I am so
thirsty."

"Yes, Punch, I have been a while. I had rilled the pail, when there was
a rustle among the trees, and I thought one of the Frenchies was about
to pounce upon me."

"And was it?"

"No, only a goat amongst the bushes; and that made me longer. There,
let me hold you up--no, no, don't try yourself. That's the way. Did it
hurt you much?"

The boy drank with avidity, and then drew a long