IN THE DARK, 169 



By the time we reached the river at the 

 mountain's base it was quite dark, so that 

 we could not find our way through the woods 

 of the foot-hills to our cave, which lay just 

 above the tree line. The men wanted to lie 

 down where we were, but I was too hungry 

 to listen to them ; and, tired as I was, felt 

 ready to make another effort for food, fire, 

 and a blanket. So, striking a watercourse, 

 we blundered up it, fighting our way in the 

 dark through thick overhanging boughs, until 

 I regretted that I had not yielded to my 

 men's suo-o-estions. But at the end of two 

 hours an opening was gained, and another 

 thirty minutes brought me my reward — two 

 dampers of maize- bread, a pipe, and leave to 

 roll myself in my blanket, amongst the rocks 

 and rocklets, as near the embers as I dare 

 lie. 



The next day was Sunday, I think, but 

 whether or not, it was a day of rest and re- 



