The Boy and the Lynx 
there was a growling, a crack, and a sudden 
yielding ; the rotten old spear-head had broken 
off, the Beast sprang out—at him—past him— 
never touched him, but across through the hole 
and away, to be seen no more. 
Thor fell on the bed and lost all consciousness. 
He lay there he knew not how long, but was 
awakened in broad daylight by a loud, cheery 
voice: 
“Hello! Hello! —are ye all dead? Loo! 
Thor! Margat!”’ 
He had no strength to answer, but there was 
a trampling of horses outside, a heavy step, the 
door was forced open, and in strode Corney, 
handsome and hearty as ever. But what a 
flash of horror and pain came over his face on 
entering the silent shanty ! 
“Dead?” he gasped. ‘‘Who’s dead— 
where are your Thor?” ‘Then, “ Who is it? 
Loo? Margat ?” 
“ Corney—Corney,” came feebly from the 
bunk. “They ’re in there. They ’re awful sick. 
We have nothing to eat.” 
“Oh, what a fool I be!” said Corney again 
203 
