poor fellow who had been left in despair and
loneliness to die, untended and without a soul to whom he could say a
farewell word. No; he could not do it, and he felt as if he must turn
and rush out of the wood.

"Feel him, Master Fred?" whispered Samson.

Again the sensation of cold and dread came over Fred, and he was about
to yield to it and hurry away, when his determination mastered, and,
setting his teeth fast, he bent down, went upon hands and knees, and
felt on before him, letting his hand sink slowly so as to reverently
touch him who he felt must be lying dead.

"Well, sir--got him?"

"No!" whispered Fred, hoarsely, as his hand touched the twigs and
leaves.

"Try again, sir."

Fred crept on, and again stretched out his hand.

"Now you have him, sir?"

"No," said Fred, with a throb of excitement sending a thrill through
him; "he is not here."

"There, what did I tell you!" said Samson, in a satisfied tone. "You
would be so obstinate. This aren't the place."

"But it is," whispered Fred. "I can feel where he laid. The twigs are
all levelled down."

"Nonsense, sir!"

"I tell you I am right; it's the hole he made for himself. This is the
place, and--Hah!"

"Got him?"

"No; but here is your jerkin that you left to cover him."

"Then you are right, sir. Well, feel about more."

"I cannot get any further. This is the place, and he has either been
found, or he has crept away, and--Yes, that's it; he hasn't had strength
to creep back."

"Then we must call again."

"Yes."

Samson repeated his cry, over and over again, without result, and then,
Fred having rejoined him, they stood listening.

"We cannot find him to-night, Samson."

"No, sir. Well, it doesn't much matter. He's ever so much better, or
he wouldn't have gone out for a walk. Here, let's sit down and eat this
here bread and chicken, and drink the cider, sir. I feel as if I hadn't
had anything for a week, and the food has been bumping about my lips and
asking to go in ever since we started. I'm glad now I brought it, but
I've been sorry I was so stupid all along."

"Do you think we could find him if we searched?" said Fred, ignoring his
companion's remark about the food.

"Sure we couldn't, sir, without a lanthorn; and if we had one we
durstn't use it. Let's set down and have a bite."

"No, no. Look here! If he has crept away, he is sleeping somewhere not
far off, and he is sure to come back. Give me the food, a