deep shadows, a bundle warm and soft and sweet with the presence
of Nada herself. It was hidden under a clump of young banksians,
very carefully hidden, and tucked about with grass and evergreen
boughs. When McKay left the jackpines he wondered why it was that
Peter showed no inclination to follow him until he was urged.

They did not return to the Stew-Kettle until dawn, and most of
that day Jolly Roger spent in sleep between the two big rocks. It
was late afternoon when they made their last meal. In this
farewell hour McKay climbed up close to the pinnacle, where he
smoked his pipe and measured the shadows of the declining sun
until it was time to leave for the jackpines.

Retracing his steps to the hiding place under Gog and Magog he
looked for Peter. But Peter's sand-wallow was empty, and Peter was
gone.





CHAPTER VII


Peter was on his way to the mystery of the bundle he had found in
the jackpines.

At the foot of the ridge, where the green plain fought with the
blighting edge of the Stew-Kettle, he stood for many minutes
before he started east-ward. With keen eyes gleaming behind his