arms and legs, until the stiffness and soreness disappeared from his
joints. Contact with Spaniard and Mexican had taught him the full need
of caution.

He was very hungry again, and now he was thankful for his restraint of
the night before. He ate the rest of the food in his pockets and waited
patiently.

Ned knew that he had slept a long time, and that it must be late in the
day. He was confirmed in his opinion by the angle at which the light
entered the window, and he decided that he would lie in the pew until
night came again. It was a trying test. School his will as he would he
felt at times that he must come from his covert and walk about the
chapel. The narrow wooden pew became a casket in which he was held, and
now and then he was short of breath. Yet he persisted. He was learning
very young the value of will, and he forced himself every day to use it
and increase its strength.

In such a position and with so much threatening him his faculties became
uncommonly keen. He heard the voices more distinctly, and also the
footsteps of the priests in their felt slippers. They passed the door of
the chapel in which he lay, and once or twice he thought they were going
to enter, but they seemed merely to pause at the door. Then he would
hold his breath until they were gone.

At last and with infinite joy he saw the colored lights fade. The window
itself grew dark, and the murmur in the church ceased. But he did not
come forth from his secure refuge until it was quite dark. He staggered
from stiffness at first, but the circulation was soon restored. Then he
looked from the door of the chapel into the great nave. An old priest in