nce. Instead it continued to stare at
him, as if asking to come in that it might have a share of the leaves.
But Henry shook his head. There was room for only one, and while not
selfish he needed it worse than the bear, which, after a minute more of
gazing, uttered another growling purr and then shambled away among the
bushes. Henry felt real sorrow at its departure. Obviously it had been a
good and kind bear, and he was regretful at having crowded it out of
house and home.

But as bears were adaptable creatures and the dispossessed tenant would
find quarters elsewhere, he settled himself back to further rest and
contemplation. The lair under the ledge was really a better place than
he had at first thought it. The leaves were so abundant that he had a
soft bed, and they contributed not only to warmth in themselves, but he
was able to throw them up in little ridges beside him, where they would
cut off the cold air. He felt himself splendidly hidden, and both body
and mind were invaded by a dreamy sense of peace and ease.

Believing that the invasion of the valley would yet be delayed some
time, he dared to go to sleep, though he awoke at frequent intervals.
All these awakenings told him that the warriors had not yet come nor was
their vanguard even at hand. The bear was not the only wild animal to
inhabit the valley and now and then he saw their dim figures moving in
the leisurely manner that betokened no alarm brought by sight, scent or
sound. He silently made them his sentinels, his watchers, the bear, the
rabbit, the squirrel, the wildcat and even the tawny yellow panther.

Morning broke, the air heavy and clouds betokening rain. He strengthened
his banks of leaves with some dead wood, and, after eating half the
remaining portion of wild turkey, crouched again in the lair. In an hour
it began to rain, not to the accompaniment of wind, but came down
steadily, as if it meant to fall all day long.

Having a good shelter Henry was glad of the rain, as he knew that it
would cause the warriors further delay in the search. The wilderness,
cold and dripping with water, is a funereal sight, full of discomforts,
and savage man himself avoids it if he can. The warriors, feeling that
they had the fugitive within the inescapable circle, would wait. Henry
would willingly wait with them. He had but one problem that troubled him
greatly, and it was food. But perhaps the ravens would provide, as they
had provided for the holy man i