To hasten his arrival he resolved upon taking a short-cut through
the thickest part of the forest, which, though it would eventually
lead him out upon the boundary of Silas Perkins' farm, and necessitate
his crossing that surly neighbor's property, would save at least
two miles of the return journey.

Getting his bearings by the sun, in true woodsman's fashion, he
left the trail and struck off through the unblazed aisles of the
wood, going onward farther and farther at a resolute pace. The
sun presently was obscured by the thick canopy of budding trees,
as Ralph descended into a little hollow between two hills, and
dusky shadows contended with mid-daylight. Still the boy staggered
onward, now and then faltering to rest. His wounds gave him little
pain now, though one eye was badly swollen around the cut. But
it bothered him and distracted his mind; and this was probably
the reason why, in his haste and distress, he found himself growing
more and more bewildered by his surroundings. Finally he realized
that he had lost his way.

"And I can't be more than five miles from home, too!" he reproached
himself, in tired disgust.




CHAPTER IV

A NIGHT IN THE WOODS