help of my knife."

"A flint?"

"Yes, if we could get one: but I see nothing but granite, which
crumbles and shivers when struck--we could not get a spark. However, I
think it's very likely that one of the round pebbles I see on the
beach yonder may be found hard enough for the purpose."

To the shore they bent their steps as soon as the little basket had
been well filled with strawberries; and descending the precipitous
bank, fringed with young saplings; birch, ash, and poplars, they
quickly found themselves beside the bright waters of the lake. A flint
was soon found among the water-worn stones that lay thickly strewn
upon the shore, and a handful of dry sedge, almost as inflammable as
tinder, was collected without trouble: though Louis, with the
recklessness of his nature, had coolly proposed to tear a strip from
his cousin's apron as a substitute for tinder,--a proposal that
somewhat raised the indignation of the tidy Catharine, whose ideas of
economy and neatness were greatly outraged, especially as she had no
sewing implements to assist in mending the rent. Louis thought nothing
of that; it was a part of his character to think only of the present,
little of the past, and to let the future provide for itself. Such was
Louis's great failing, which had proved a fruitful source of trouble
both to himself and others. In this respect he bore a striking
contrast to his more cautious companion, who possessed much of the
gravity of his father. Hector was as heedful and steady in his
decisions as Louis was rash and impetuous.

After many futile attempts, and some skin knocked off their knuckles