divide, I had a horrible business getting down from one level to
another in a gruesome corrie, where each step was composed of
smooth boiler-plates. But at last I was among the bogs on the east
side, and came to the place beside the road where I had fixed my cache.

The faithful Amos had not failed me. There were the provisions -
a couple of small loaves, a dozen tins, and a bottle of whisky. I
made the best pack I could of them in my waterproof, swung it on
my stick, and started back, thinking that I must be very like the
picture of Christian on the title-page of_Pilgrim's _Progress.

I was liker Christian before I reached my destination - Christian
after he had got up the Hill Difficulty. The morning's walk
had been bad, but the afternoon's was worse, for I was in a fever
to get back, and, having had enough of the hills, chose the longer
route I had followed the previous day. I was mortally afraid of
being seen, for I cut a queer figure, so I avoided every stretch of
road where I had not a clear view ahead. Many weary detours I
made among moss-hags and screes and the stony channels of
burns. But I got there at last, and it was almost with a sense of
comfort that I flung my pack down beside the stream where I
had passed the night.

I ate a good meal, lit my pipe, and fell into the equable mood
which follows upon fatigue ended and hunger satisfied. The sun
was westering, and its light fell upon the rock-wall above the place
where I had abandoned my search for the spoor.

As I gazed at it idly I saw a curious thing.