I looked that top over, limb by limb, but not a sign of a feather could I detect. I made a circuit, and skinned every twig aloft in a vain endeavor to discover a roosting bird. I began to think the pup was daft, but I dismissed the reflection promptly as ungenerous and unfair to my trusty cocker. I make solemn affidavit that, though I could not note the suggestion of a partridge up that pine, my spaniel could see it as plain as a pike staff. “I'll climb the stump!” said I. _Mirabile dictu!_ There, on lower limbs, one above the other and hugging the bark so close that they seemed part of it, were my missed brace! “Bang!” and the topmost tumbles, nearly knocking his mate off as he falls. “Bang!” and down comes No. 2. [Illustration: 8146] Charlie manifests a sense of relieved anxiety and satisfaction that of itself rewards me for the perplexing search. But a drowsiness had been creeping over me till its influence had become almost irresistible. I felt stupid and sleep-inclined. Almost without knowing what I did I pulled out my flask, poured “just a nip” a fair portion in the cup and drank it off. The twilight was coming on and casting its sombre shadows, _avant coureurs_ of the black winter night that was soon to envelop the scene for a brief while, till fair Luna lit up the heavens and chased Darkness to its gloomy lair. I have an indistinct recollection of recalling lines I have read somewhere or other: When Life's last sun is sinking slow and sad, How cold and dark its lengthened shadows fall. They lie extended on the straightened path Whose narrow close, the grave, must end it all. Oh, Life so grudging in your gifts, redeem By one great boon the losses of the Past! Grant me a full imperishable Faith, And let the Light be with me till the last. Then all became a blank! * * * * * “Full? I never knew him to more than taste liquor. No, no! You're mistaken. He has either been knocked senseless by some accident or mischance, or else he has fallen in a fit.” It was the Doc who spoke. I suddenly grew seized of consciousness to the extent of recognizing my old friend's voice. But to indicate the fact physically was impossible. I lay in a sort of trance, with lips that would not open and hands that would not obey. “Oh, all right, Doc! You ought to know!” This time I caught the voice of the Judge. “But he is in a pitiable plight. We must get to him and move him or he may perhaps perish, if he's not gone now. Drat that dog! I don't want to shoot him; and yet he'll tear us if we try to lay hand on his master. But lay hand on him we must. Is it a go, Doc?” “It's the only alternative, Judge. I like canine fidelity; but hang me if this brute doesn't suit too well! We'll have to get him out of the way and succor the man. Give it to him, Judge!”