A JOURNEY IN DARKNESS. 63 



lost. On they went, stumbling and falling, the deer 

 slipping from the pack-saddle and causing no end of 

 trouble, until the whole party was almost exhausted. 

 The deer fell off so often that Dyche insisted that it 

 should be left, but Brown was obstinate and took it 

 on his shoulders, saying that he must have venison 

 for supper, and was not going to let a little thing like 

 that get the best of him. They finally reached the 

 opening where the tent had been placed, but they had 

 no idea where it was, and the rain was falling in such 

 torrents that they could not see their hands before 

 their eyes. 



" You stay with the donkeys, and I will find the 

 tent," said Brown; and leaving Dyche he started off 

 through the darkness. Ever and anon he called to 

 keep his bearings, and then his calls became faint, 

 and at last he was out of hearing. Dyche tried 

 to start a fire, but everything was soaking wet, 

 and all his efforts were fruitless. Brown returned 

 after a time and announced that he had found 

 the tent. They travelled about an hour, and 

 then Brown began to wonder what was the matter. 

 He had placed a lighted candle upright on the floor, 

 so that the light could be seen. He made another 

 excursion and found the tent, discovering that the 

 candle had fallen down in the mud and the light had 

 gone out. It was late, but a roaring fire soon dried 

 and warmed their clothing, while a supper on the 

 venison refreshed the inner man ; and at three o'clock 

 in the morning they rolled into bed and slept the 

 sleep which follows exhaustion. 



A whole day's rest next day, Sunday, prepared 



