as it
evidently come from the ravine, I arose and began an investigation.

Peering over the edge of the gully, I saw at the bottom, about fifteen
feet below, a bright light, and the rattling sound again smote my ears.

By this time my curiosity was excited to the utmost, and, catching hold
of a small sapling, I leaned far over the edge to observe the why and
wherefor. As I did so, I felt the sapling giving away, and I made a
desperate attempt to recover myself.

It was no use. Down went the sapling into the ravine and I along
with it.

CHAPTER XV.

I MEET AN ECCENTRIC DOCTOR AND ENTER INTO HIS SERVICE.

The sapling and I fell directly on a fire of branches, from which came
the light at which I had been gazing.

I was slightly stunned, but I scrambled to my feet just as a heavy hand
was laid on my collar, and a gruff voice said:

"Vell! here's a precious go!"

I looked up, and saw that the voice and hand belonged to the same
person--a short, stout man, with sallow complexion and glistening black
eyes. His dress was a curious compound of broad, glazed hat and blue
shift of a sailor and the flashy check vest and pantaloons of a peddler.

"Vere did you come from, anyhow," he demanded, before I had finished my
survey, "a-busting down on a chap vithout varning, and a smashing of his
pots and kettles?"

"Pots and kettles?" I repeated, inquiringly.

For answer he pointed indignantly to the ground, and then I saw what
damage my descent had caused.

A rusty coffee-pot, a little dish and a skillet were scattered among the
embers of the fire.

"That's vot you did," said he, resentfully. "Here vos I, a-cooking my
supper and a-thinking of just nothink at all, when all of a suddent down
you come, like a cannon-ball, and avay goes everythink! It was werry
aggerwating because it was nearly done."

"I assure you, sir," said I, very contritely, "that I had no intention
of falling on your fire or your supper."

Then I explained the cause of my sudden descent, and wound up by
offering to pay for the damage.

By this time the man had entirely recovered his temper--if he had ever
lost it, which I very much doubt--and smiled kindly.

"Vell, vell, there ain't much harm done except putting my supper back
half an hour. Put up your money, my boy, and join me."

Then he righted the utensils, and whistling a lively air, prepared the
meal anew. And this he did with an adroitness that proved the task to be
by no means an unu