weeks—days I mean" he said, on noticing the surprise with which his assertion was received; and the same suspicious glance was cast around him.
They soon kindled a fire and all seated themselves round it. Hugh produced some remains of a damper wrapped in a piece of a newspaper, and asked the stranger to fall to, who required no second invitation, but ate ravenously. After the meal was over the strange man was reading the paper when he started suddenly and put it into bis knapsack, saying, it would be good for gun-wadding. Looking keenly at Hugh and Slinger, who were somewhat surprised at his excited manner, he asked where they intended to pass the night.
"I think there is room in the hollow tree for us all," said Slinger; but of course, as you were in possession, it remains to be decided whether you will allow of interlopers."
"Certainly, gentlemen; I shall be most happy to entertain you, although my accommodation is somewhat scanty: you must know that is a favourite tree of mine, in which I have slept many times of late. It has served me one good turn, I can tell you; besides protecting me from the wind and weather."
"Do you live in these woods, then?" said Slinger.
"I have of late: and the first night I arrived on the borders of yonder creek I saw this tree, and retired in it to sleep. I was awakened by a noise, and looking about me, could distinguish nothing strange, excepting what I took to be a dead stump standing in the ground where I had not noticed one before. Imputing this to my lack of observation I again laid down, but recollecting my gun was only loaded in one barrel, I roused myself again to charge it,—when the stump was gone. 'Now then' I said to myself, 'for business;' for I knew I had blacks about me. Noiselessly loading my
