Part 19 (1/2)

He may be excused for feeling irritated, though there was no particular reason to expect his two friends to curtail their hours of slumber because he had done so. But he was not in a position where it is easy to be reasonable, and in his situation every minute seemed to him as long as five.

Meanwhile, in the camp, a mile away, Tom and Ferguson had awakened.

”How did you sleep, Tom?” asked the Scotchman.

”Tip-top. Did you rest well?”

”I have a gift of sleep,” replied Ferguson. ”But where is our Yankee friend?”

”I suppose he has taken an early walk,” said Tom. ”He will be back before long, I guess. We'd better not wait breakfast for him. I'm hungry for one.”

The two friends proceeded to break their fast, was.h.i.+ng down the rather stale provisions with water from a spring near by.

”I wish it were coffee,” said Tom. ”I'm tired of cold water.”

”Doubtless the coffee would be more gratifying to the palate, Tom; but it's likely the water is better for the health.”

”I suppose you would refuse a cup of hot coffee, Mr. Ferguson, if it were offered you,” said Tom, smiling.

”I don't say that, Tom. I would risk its effect upon my health for once.

But, as we haven't got it, we may as well make the best of what we have.”

Soon after their simple meal, which did not consume much time, Tom suggested to his companion that they set out in search of Mr. Onthank.

He did not suspect that their missing companion was in trouble, but he thought that it would be pleasant to take a walk.

”You can go, if you like, Tom,” said Ferguson, with characteristic caution. ”I will remain behind to look after the camp.”

”All right, Mr. Ferguson. I'll soon be back.”

”Don't go too far away, my lad; and mind your bearings, so that you can find your way back.”

”Never fear, Mr. Ferguson. It wouldn't be very easy to be lost here.

I'll keep my eyes open, and bring Mr. Onthank back with me if I see him anywhere.”

Ferguson sat down, and indulged himself in reading, probably for the hundredth time, Walter Scott's Marmion, of which he had a small pocket edition; while Tom went on his way.

A fortunate chance directed our hero by an almost straight course to the very tree where Ebenezer Onthank was still perched with the grizzly standing guard beneath. From time to time he looked about him anxiously, in the hope of seeing the approach of one of his travelling companions.

It was with a feeling of joy, not wholly unmingled with anxiety, that he descried Tom descending a hillock not many rods away. As yet it was evident that our hero had not caught sight of the bear and his prisoner.

It was very necessary to put him on his guard.

”Tom!” shouted Mr. Onthank, at the top of his voice.

Tom heard the call in spite of the distance, and looked about him, but did not immediately catch sight of the speaker. It did not occur to him to look upwards.

”Tom!” shouted the Yankee again. ”Here I am. Look up in the tree.”