Page 370 (1/1)

"No, not yet!" Stern commanded "You cannot bear it for a while Stay within and roll the rock against the door and sleep The great fire ht injure you or even kill you, as it did the--"

He checked himself just in tia, once irl

"O master! You mean the ancient man? He is dead?"

Stern nodded

"Yes," he answered "He was so old and weak, the touch of the fire in the sky--he could not bear it But his death was happy, for at least he felt its warmth upon his brow!"

The Merucaans kept silence for a ue uneasiness crept over hih in his heart the shame of the lie he had been forced to tell would not be quieted

The colonists, however, made no further speech, but presently rolled the rock in front of the cave entrance, then wrapped the cloaks and lay down by the fire

Soon, like the healthy savages they were, they were fast asleep, with vigorous snorings

Thus the night passed, while Stern kept watch over the girl; and another day crept slowly up the sky, and in the cave now rested four hu nation