joy that it burned with a clear, beautiful flame; upon seeing
which, Peterkin sprang up and danced round the fire for at least
five minutes in the excess of his satisfaction.

"Now lads," said Jack, extinguishing our candle, the sun will set
in an hour, so we have no time to lose. "I shall go and cut a
young tree to make my bow out of, and you had better each of you go
and select good strong sticks for clubs, and we'll set to work at
them after dark."

So saying he shouldered his axe and went off, followed by Peterkin,
while I took up the piece of newly discovered cloth, and fell to
examining its structure. So engrossed was I in this that I was
still sitting in the same attitude and occupation when my
companions returned.

"I told you so!" cried Peterkin, with a loud laugh. "Oh, Ralph,
you're incorrigible. See, there's a club for you. I was sure,
when we left you looking at that bit of stuff, that we would find
you poring over it when we came back, so I just cut a club for you
as well as for myself."

"Thank you, Peterkin," said I. "It was kind of you to do that,
instead of scolding me for a lazy fellow, as I confess I deserve."

"Oh! as to that," returned Peterkin, "I'll blow you up yet, if you
wish it - only it would be of no use if I did, for you're a perfect
mule!"

As it was now getting dark we lighted our candle, and placing it in