"That makes a change of situation," was the conclusion of Ben
Ripley; "he's gone, and I become the general of this army; there's
no telling what danger may be abroad tonight, so I will keep my
eyes open till sunrise, to make sure that no harm comes to these
folks."

And ten minutes after this decision the lad was as sound asleep as
his mother and the two little ones.

But there was One who did not slumber while all were unconscious.
He ever watches over His children, and,--though there were many
perils abroad that night, none of them came near our friends.

The camp fire which had been burning so brightly grew dimmer and
lower until the figures could hardly be seen. They gradually became
more indistinct, and finally the gloom was as deep as anywhere in
the dense woods. Only a few smouldering embers were left, and they
gave out no glow.

Ben was still sleeping, when something tickled his nose. He rubbed
it vigorously with his forefinger and opened his eyes, confused
and bewildered.

An odd, chuckling laugh at his elbow drew his gaze hither. There
stood Linna, with the sprig of oak which she had been passing back
and forth under the base of his nose, making it feel for all the
world like a fly titillating his nostrils.

Ben made an attempt to catch the mischievous girl, but she deftly