hore, and each day
wasted is just so much delay in reaching our destination."

"Now that we are really homeward bound you will have no reason to
complain because our powers of endurance are too slight," Neal replied,
as he took up the remaining weapon, and the march was immediately
begun.

CHAPTER XXX.

A WELCOME CHANGE.

While they were on the mountain where no shade could be found the boys
thought that it would be a wonderful relief to gain the shelter of the
forest; but after traveling an hour they realized that the heat was
nearly as great in one place as another.

Among the trees the rays of the sun did not beat directly down upon
them; but to balance this every breath of wind was shut out, and the
atmosphere seemed stifling.

The perspiration rolled from their faces in streams, and so great was
the humidity that it seemed as if it would be a positive relief to be in
the sunlight.

"I reckon you've got a better opinion of mountain travel by this time,"
Cummings said laughingly, as Neal involuntarily halted. "In such a
climate the shade of the trees is a positive discomfort."

"We can stand it," Teddy replied bravely. "Every step takes us just so
much nearer the coast, and one glimpse of the sea will repay us for all
our exertions."

It seemed as if even Poyor was affected by the heat. He no longer strode
forward at such a rapid pace; but lagged from time to time as badly as
either member of the party.

Cummings urged first one and then another on until about eleven o'clock
in the forenoon, and then he said, coming to a full stop by the side of
the stream they had been following:

"We can now afford to indulge in a siesta, and shall probably travel all
the better for frequent halts. Later in the day one of us will do a
little hunting, and the march need not come to an end until it is no
longer light enough for us to see the way."

To this very welcome proposition no one had any objections to offer, and
in the shortest possible space of time only the sentinel, which on this
occasion proved to be Teddy, was left awake.

It was dull work sitting there listening to the droning of the insects;
but no member of the party could have kept watch more conscientiously
than did he, and when it seemed impossible to hold his eyes open any
longer he paced to and fro to prevent them from closing.

With the exception of the usual noises of the forest, it was as if all
nature slumbered, and he had just begu