A CAMP-FIRE VISITOR. 47J 



sink into unconsciousness, the smouldering embers are sure to tempt some beast to 

 a venture he would not make were the man awake. 



" I will put myself in your care," said Jack, " for half the night, provided you 

 are sure to keep your eyes open." 



" I understand the situation too well to give way," replied the youth, " you know 

 we both had a good long sleep last night, and I shall keep in motion all the time." 



" That settles it ; if you will stick to that there's no danger of closing your eyes." 



It was yet early in the evening, but since each expected to pass half the night 

 awake, Jack prudently decided to gain all the slumber he could while the oppor- 

 tunity was his. 



He therefore knocked the ashes from his pipe, saluted Bob, sent up a prayer 

 to Heaven, and five minutes later was sleeping as sweetly as an infant. 



" It would be a good deal pleasanter to sit here on the ground," reflected Bob, 

 " but I know what the result would be. Dick and I found that out down in South 

 Africa. I've often tried to remember the instant I dropped off to sleep, but could 

 no more do it than I could keep awake all night when sleepy and sitting still. I 

 wonder where Dick and Mr. Godkin are," he added, with that quick transition of 

 thought peculiar to youth, as he rose to his feet, and, loaded rifle in hand, began 

 pacing back and forth near the camp-fire. " They have had plenty of time to reach 

 India and get well into their work. What a fine thing it would be if Dick and I 

 had telephonic communication and could keep each other posted. Wouldn't we 

 have some interesting stories to tell ? " 



The youth smiled at his own conceit, and did not forget to maintain a sharp 

 watch on the dismal jungle which closed in on every hand. 



The stream was just far enough off to be invisible in the gloom, though a splash- 

 ing of the water now and then apprised him that some of its inhabitants were in 

 motion. Many of the animals of India and Africa are nocturnal in their habits, and, 

 though our friends had come in collision with them during the day-time, yet they 

 were far more active and dangerous when darkness shrouded the earth and men 

 were asleep. 



Less than an hour had passed of Bob's watch when he became convinced that 

 some large beast was prowling perilously near. He caught shadowy glimpses of 

 him as he came to the very edge of the circle of illumination, and then, when the 

 sentinel stopped to gain a better view of the intruder, he glided noiselessly back 

 like a shadow and was swallowed up in the gloom. 



No doubt the beast had his heart set on the youth, who could tell from his move- 

 ments that himself, and not the sleeping friend, was the object of attention. 



" I'll settle you" muttered Bob, "just as soon as I can get the chance." 



The situation was anything but a comfortable one, and the youth had a 

 constant fear that the brute was about to make a sudden leap from the gloom and 

 land on his shoulders before he could give him a shot. Three separate times he 

 brought his rifle to his shoulder, but the beast acted as though he suspected the 

 meaning of the movement and instantly darted out of range. 



