THE FRIEND IN NEED
Even considering the serious nature of their quest and the plight they were in, it was not possible for the boys to refrain from laughing when they recognised Britain's national song as caricatured by the singer. But they had sufficient wisdom to control most of their amusement to "inward laughing." It is not always safe in the backwoods to announce your presence too suddenly where strangers are concerned—especially strangers who are not of the white skin.
"That's a rum sort of music to come upon a hundred miles from nowhere," remarked Bob, with a grin, to his chum.
"Let's hope that it comes from a throat that has something of civilisation about it," said Alf.
"It doesn't sound quite like a white man. That 'ne-vaire' is more French accent than English—probably a half-breed."
"What do you think we ought to do?"
"Investigate. We've got no choice. We're lost; that's certain enough. What's more, there seems to be very little chance of finding our own trail back to the camp."
"That's true enough," Alf assented. "But suppose we come upon a camp of half-breeds, as you suggested? I've heard that they're not the best of friends to white people in out-of-the-way places."
Arnold nodded in agreement.
"I dare say that's true. But, at the same time, most yarns of the kind have usually got large bits of ornamental stuff stuck round the facts. We'll have to take our chance of falling in with friends or foes."