"There is no use in my going on like this," he decided
finally. "I'll sit down and wait for daylight. That's all I can
do. I surely can find my way back to camp when the light comes
again."

The next question was where should he go-- where find a safe place
to stay until morning. Tad remembered with a start that there were
bears in the range. He knew this from his own recent experience. How
many other savage beasts there might be in the woods he did not
know. He had heard some one speak of mountain lions, and having seen
these before, he fervently hoped he might not have another
experience with them, unarmed as he was.

"If this gun only were loaded, I should feel better."

After searching around for some time, Tad found a ledge that seemed
to rise to a considerable height. Up this he clambered. It would
give him a good view in the morning anyway, besides protecting him
from any prowling animals that might chance in that part of the
forest.

Tad ensconced himself in a slight depression, and with a flat rock
for a resting place, leaned back determined to make the best of his
position.

A gentle breeze now stirred the foliage above his head and all about
him until the sound became a restless murmur, as if Nature were
holding council over the lad's predicament.