nd I thought, after taking it, he looked
rather better, so I gave him more. I had been sitting by his side for
some time, when I heard him whisper--"You had better go on, Andrew; I
will follow by-and-by, but do not stop for me."

"That will never do," I answered, thankful to hear him speak. "You will
get well shortly, and then we will go on together."

"I will try to go with you now," he said, trying to rise; but he sank
back immediately, unable to lift himself from the ground. He uttered a
sigh on discovering his weakness.

I passed the remainder of the day as I had the commencement. As I saw
evening approaching I collected a large supply of broken branches to
serve as firewood, and then made up a semicircular heap, which I
intended to keep blazing all the night. I was sorry that I had not
slept during the day, that I might the more easily keep awake while on
my watch. I took some supper, though, in consequence of the thirst from
which I was suffering, I felt little disposed to eat; but still I was
unwilling to exhaust our water by drinking more than a few drops. I
knew that the next day I must inevitably go in search of some. My young
companion's life might depend upon my finding it. To avoid the risk of
being surprised should I fall asleep, after I had lighted the fire and
seen that it blazed up thoroughly, I took my seat inside the hut, and
secured the boughs as before. In spite of my resolution to keep awake,
I had not been seated on the ground more than an hour or so before I
felt sleep stealing over me. At length I tried to arouse myself. I was
completely overpowered, though I still retained a consciousness of where
I was, and of the necessity of being on my guard. Suddenly I awoke,
feeling an undefined dread. I could hear Natty breathing, but all was
dark inside the hut. On looking out I discovered that I must have been
asleep for some time, for the fire was entirely extinguished. I sprang
up, leaving my gun on the ground. My first impulse was to re-light the
fire. I hurriedly felt about for the sticks, which I had placed on one
side, and carried them to the spot where the fire had been burning. I
placed them as before in a semicircle. Finding that I could not strike
the light in the open air, I retired into the hut to do so. Whilst thus
employed I fancied I heard some creature moving over the ground. I got
the match lighted, and then set fire to the bundle of twigs which I had
collected.