e, glad to see you're able to sit up, and take notice,
after all the row you kicked up. First thing Smithy and me want to
know is, what under the sun was it all about?" and with these words
the two scouts staggered into camp, throwing themselves wearily down
beside their chum.

CHAPTER XVII.

TROUBLES THICKEN FOR YOUNG ALECK.

The scouts were pretty hungry, and they united in pronouncing the
supper "just prime." But then the conditions would not allow of any
other verdict; and as Toby regretfully declared, they all had good
teeth, while his were getting "frayed and worn."

But after a period of stress and storm, a haven does seem good indeed;
and sitting there, chatting, alongside that blaze, which had now been
built up into a real camp-fire, the three boys were feeling a thousand
per cent better than they had a couple of hours before.

Of course Step Hen had told all about his great combat with the two
fighting eagles. He even led the doubting Davy along the foot of the
descent, with a blazing torch in his hand, until they had found both of
the dead birds, which they lugged back to camp with them, to show to the
wondering Smithy as positive evidence of the truth of the story.

And after that the boys would surely feel more respect for Step Hen's
prowess as a hunter, and the possessor of unlimited nerve.

Smithy declared that nothing on earth could tempt him to try and descend
that precipice where Step Hen had done it; and was amazed when Davy
announced that they had accomplished a feat very nearly as hazardous;
only, coming a yard at a time, they had not noticed the danger.

"I only hope nothing will run off with my sheep," Smithy had remarked,
plaintively, at one time, after they had finished their meal, and were
just lounging around, taking things easy.

"How about that, Toby?" asked Davy Jones; "will wolves be apt to rob
Smithy of his hard-earned laurels?"

"Don't know anything about that ere," grinned the guide; "but if so be
you mean will they come around, and eat his mutton, I'm afraid that's
jest what'll happen. But," he added, as Smithy gave a plaintive little
bleat, "they cain't eat them big horns, you know; and I reckons as how
that's the main thing you wants, ain't it?"

"Oh! yes, if that is so, I shall stop worrying. But I surely do want
to carry that souvenir back with me; because, you know that is my
first game," Smithy went on to say.

"Wall," remarked the guide, with a nod, "you ha