Part 23 (2/2)

”Merely to see if it was true there were any natives in the neighbourhood,” was the answer ”I never got as far as the ca round me It seemed to amuse them to see , so I had to shut up and hope for the best They have come each day in little batches and watched an to feel so bad that I rather wished they would coan calling again But I suppose my voice was too weak to ars didn't touch ain to-day”

Eustace looked scared

”Oh, I say,” he exclaioodness knohat they'll do to us We et away from here before they come”

”You must,” said Bob, ”but I can't You'll have to takedue ith it all the tiet out into the open”

Eustace stared at hio and leave you,” he exclaimed

”Why not?” asked Bob with a smile

”How could I,” Eustace said war shall ht in Bob's eyes as they rested on the slip of a lad kneeling beside hiood by staying For both our sakes you o, and as fast as you can”

”But suppose while I aot to chance that,” said Bob bravely ”You couldn't save my life if you stayed; you could only die too, and ould be the good of that?”

”I would rather,” said Eustace chokily

”Well, I wouldn't,” Bob said firot to go home and set the dear home-folks' minds at rest about us They'll know no peace till they hear, one way or another Then, of course, they'll set out to fetch ood If I aet I wouldn't let you stay You did the only thing you could fororders”

Eustace hid his face in his hands because his lips were tre so; he felt sick, and shaky all over

”O Bob,” he said, ”must I?”

”For my sake, laddie,” said Bob softly

Eustace stood up, but kept his head turned away that Bob should still not see his face

”I do wish,” said Bob lightly, ”that you could give ry”

It was a little bit of chaff to help the boy to pull hiether It worked quite a miracle, for Eustace's face cleared instantly

”Why, how stupid ofto eat

It hat I couldn't finish ofluan feeding the helpless man as if he had been a baby

”Uponup a cheery tone, although he could little more than whisper ”But eat some yourself; turn and turn about”

”I don't want any,” said the boy

”Obey,” said Bob briskly, with his kind smile