and fast. He was no slow and clumsy workman. He knew
his task and rushed about, rapidly strengthening his structure with
parallel lines, having a common center, until his silken floor was in
place again and ready for the death dance of flies and bees and wasps.
Soon a bumble bee was kicking and quivering like a stricken ox on its
surface. The spider rushed upon him and buried his knives in the back
and sides of his prey. The young man's observation of this interesting
process was interrupted by the sound of voices and the tread of feet.
They were British voices.

"They came this way. I saw them when they turned," a voice was saying.
"If I had been a little closer, I could have potted both men with one
bullet."

"Why didn't you take a shot anyhow?" another asked.

"I was creeping up, trying to get closer. They have had to hide or run
upon the heels of our people."

A number of men were now sitting on the very log in which Jack was
hidden. The young scout saw the legs of a man standing opposite the
open end of the log. Then these memorable words were spoken:

"This log is good cover for a man to hide in, but nobody is hid in it.
There's a big spider's web over the opening."

There was more talk, in which it came out that nine thousand men were
crossing to Gravesend.

"Come on, boys, I'm going back," said one of the party. Whereupon they
went away.

Dusk was falling. Jack waited for a move from Solomon. In a few
minutes he heard a stir in the brush. Then he could dimly see the face
of his friend beyond the spider's web.

"Come on, my son," the latter whispered. With a feeling of real
regret, Jack rent the veil of the spider and came out of his
hiding-place. He brushed the silken threads from his hair and brow as
he whispered:

"That old spider saved me--good luck to him!"

"We'll keep clus together," Solomon whispered. "We got to push right
on an' work 'round 'em. If any one gits in our way, he'll have to
change worlds sudden, that's all. We mus' git to them hosses 'fore
midnight."

Darkness had fallen, but the moon was rising when they set out.
Solomon led the way, with that long, loose stride of his. Their
moccasined feet were about as noiseless as a cat's. On and on they
went until Solomon stopped suddenly and stood listening and peering
into the dark bush beyond. Jack could hear and see nothing. Solomon
turned and took a new direction without a word and moving with the
stealth of