Lost in the backwoods

by E. C. Kenyon

To all and everything he said the Captain's reply was always, "Do you change your mind? Will you be one of us?"

"I cannot! Oh, I cannot!" cried the poor boy every time.

Last of all Whiterock came up, and once more advised him not to throw his life away.

Cyril, however, would not yield.

Then they left him, and going outside mounted their horses and rode off.

There was a great silence in the deserted camp.

Cyril prayed to God for help.

Suddenly he felt a cold, slimy body slipping round his leg and gliding up his waist. He could not reach it with his hands, which were tied to the side of the bunk. Shouting at it to frighten it away was not of any use.

With a piercing scream he gave himself up for lost and knew no more.