CHAP. n. A FRUITLESS SEARCH. 39 



different from being snug in his warm bed, that he 

 once thought of getting out of his hole and running 

 home. But he was terrified to do that, and thus 

 encounter his father's strap, his back being still so 

 sore from the effects of his flogging at school. The 

 cold continued to increase, especially towards the 

 small hours of the morning. Indeed, he never ex- 

 perienced so bitterly cold a night in the whole 

 course of his life. 



At length morning began to dawn. The first streaks 

 of light were tinging the eastern sky, when Tom pre- 

 pared to get out of his hole and have a run in the 

 open ground to warm himself. He was creeping out 

 of the logs for the purpose, when in the dim morning 

 light he thought he saw the figure of a man. Yes ! 

 it was his father. He saw him moving about, among 

 the sawpits, the logs, and the piles of wood. Tom 

 crept farther into his hole among the logs ; and on 

 looking out again, he found his father had disap- 

 peared. Half-an-hour later he appeared again ; and 

 after going over the former ground, he proceeded in 

 the direction of the Inches. In a few minutes he de- 

 scended to the channel, doubtless with the intention 

 of crossing, as the tide was out at the time. 



Now, thought Tom, is my opportunity. He crept 

 out of his hole, went round the farther end of the 

 logs, up Lower Dee Street, past the carpet-weaver's, 

 up Carmelite Street, and then home. Just as he 

 reached the top of the stair, Mrs. Kelman, the kindly 



