from side to side, and they could not disguise from
themselves that he looked at them with uncomprehending eyes, and, left to
himself, sank immediately into stupor that simulated slumber.

"Fellows," said old Clenk drearily, "I believe this leetle chap be agoin'
ter make a die of it!"

But he was still alive the following morning when the chill, clouded day
broke, and a happy thought occurred to old Clenk. Throughout his illness
the child had instinctively refused the coarse food proffered him, and
this was brought anew to their notice when they paused to eat their
scanty rations in a deep, secluded dell. A stream ran foaming, crystal
clear, amidst great rocks hemming it in on every side, save where a
jungle of undergrowth made close to the verge. A sudden sound from these
bosky recesses set every nerve of the fugitives a-quiver. Only the tinkle
of a cow-bell, keen and clear in the chill rare air! There was the
exchange of a sheepish grin as the tones were recognized, when suddenly
Clenk arose, a light as of inspiration on his dull old face. "Soo, cow,
soo!" he called softly; then listened intently for a responsive stir in
the bushes. A muttered low--and he pressed into the covert in the
direction of the sound. The docile animal lifted her head at an approach,
then calmly fell a-grazing again. She let down her milk readily, though
looking over her shoulder questioningly during the process, for Clenk was
no practised hand. He contrived, however, to fill a "tickler" in which
there was a small residue of whisky, which possibly aided the efficacy of
the milk, for the child was perceptibly revived after the first draught
was forced down his throat, and when an hour or two afterward the bottle
was put to his lips he voluntarily drank a few swallows with obvious
relish.

"Ye leetle old toper," cried Clenk delightedly, waxing jocose in his
relief, "ye been swindling me! Ye hev been playin' sick to trick me out
'n this fine milk punch!"

Archie did not comprehend the banter, but he smiled feebly in response to
the jovial tone, and after a time babbled a good deal in a faint little
voice about a train of steam-cars, exponent of a distant civilization,
that with a roar of wheels and clangor of machinery and scream of
whistles and clouds of smoke went thundering through the wild and wooded
country. To the old man's delight, he sought to lift himself to a sitting
posture in Clenk's arms, and asked if they were to travel soon on t