162 NEIGHBOURS UNKNOWN 



chamber in the hollow heart. The chamber 

 had yet another entrance, beneath a knot, 

 higher up on the opposite side of the trunk. 

 Through these two holes filtered a dim warm 

 light, just strong enough to show a huddle 

 of small, ruddy-brown, furry shapes sleeping 

 snugly at the bottom of the chamber. 



The forest was as still and soundless as a 

 dream, under the spell of the noon-day heat. 

 But presently the silence was broken by the 

 approach of heavy footsteps, now crackling 

 as they crunched the dry twigs, now muffled 

 and dull as they sank into beds of deep moss. 

 They were plainly human footsteps, for no 

 other creature but man would move so 

 crudely and heedlessly through the forest 

 quiet. Every one of the wild kindred, from 

 the bear down to the wood-mouse, would 

 move with a furtive wariness, desiring always 

 to see without being seen, either intent upon 

 some hunting or solicitous to avoid some 

 hunter. 



Down a shadowy corridor of soaring 

 trunks came into view two figures a tall 

 heavy-shouldered lumberman, carrying an 

 axe, and a slim boy with a light rifle in his 

 hand. It was the lumberman, booted and 

 long-striding, who made all the noise. The 

 boy, in moccasins, stepped lightly as an 



