against it in
a very emphatic manner.

"Although we have been traveling for the past six or eight hours where
any one in the valley might see us, we are not so insane as to build a
beacon here that our pursuers may be guided to this halting place."

Cummings spoke in a petulant tone, and fearing that he might add
something regarding the fact that if Jake had behaved himself all would
now be in the cave, Teddy hastened to say:

"If we can't build a fire why not spend the time walking, for it will be
impossible to sleep with this rain beating down upon us?"

"It would take a better man than Poyor to lead the way in the darkness
and storm. Here we must stay, at least until morning, and then unless
the rain has ceased falling, it will be a case of going hungry awhile."

Finding that there was to be no change in the condition of affairs, Jake
had crawled into the further end of the shelter where, with the water
dripping down upon him he was trying his best to sleep, and Neal curled
up beside him.

Poyor, regardless of the weather, remained just outside the rock as if
on guard, while Cummings, a few paces behind him, sat upon a fragment of
stone listening intently, and Teddy wisely concluded to find a resting
place somewhere, for he was so weary that repose seemed absolutely
necessary, more especially since there could be no doubt but that the
journey would be continued immediately the storm cleared away.

Selecting a spot where some portion of his body could be kept dry, he
lay down, and, regardless of all discomforts was soon oblivious to
everything around him.

CHAPTER XXVI.

THE PURSUIT.

During this night of discomforts the boys and Jake succeeded in gaining
more rest than one would have thought possible under the circumstances.

The temperature had fallen so much that, in comparison with the heat of
the day, it was positively cold; but by lying close together and
covering themselves with half a dozen enormous leaves from a vine which
encircled the rock, they managed to pass the long hours without positive
pain.

Whenever Neal, who awakened very often, opened his eyes he saw Cummings
and Poyor standing near at hand like statues, and the natural
supposition was that they did not seek repose even to the slight extent
of sitting down.

Once he called to the white man, proposing to do his share of the
watching; but the offer was positively declined.

"I could not rest even if I should lie down," he