Page:They who walk in the wilds, (IA theywhowalkinwil00robe).pdf/198

 cub had resumed its nursing. He promptly followed its example; and having made a good meal he dozed off to sleep again, telling himself it would be time enough in the morning to face decisions. His first need, surely, was to recover his strength!

This time, being deeply at ease in his mind, McLaggan slept long. He woke up very hungry, and at once, by prompt instinct, applied himself thirstily to the copious source of nourishment which had already served him so well. Then, opening his eyes, he found that the cave was full of a faint, glimmering, bluish light, and he realized how long he must have slept. His watch had stopped long ago, forgotten, but it must be well past noon, and a brilliant day in the icy world, to send so much light into his refuge. He looked at the sleeping, shaggy bear. He looked at the sleek little cub, suckling, and snuffling, and kneading its mother's breast with its baby paws. He thought of the ancient story of the viper, which stung the man who had warmed it to life in his bosom. "Not for me, thank you!" he muttered. "I'll fill my skin right up to the neck with your good milk, old girl, and see if I can't make Burnt Brook on that. It can't be far now, and thanks to your hearty hospitality I feel quite fit."

Having swallowed all the milk that he could hold, McLaggan was again filling his pipe, when through the curtain of snow he caught a faint