When they had finished the last of the tea he got up, washed the two dishes at the stream, and relit the ashes of last night’s pipe.
“The Committee of Ways and Means will now go into executive session,” he began. “I haven’t the least idea where we are. I may have traveled ten miles yesterday or twenty. I’ve lost my bearings, that’s sure, and so have you. There are two things to do—one of them is to find our way out by ourselves and the other is to let somebody find it for us. The first plan isn’t feasible until you are able to walk——”
“I could manage with my crutch.”
“No, I’m afraid that won’t do. There’s no use starting off until we know where we’re going.”
“But you said you thought you could——”
“I still think so,” he put in quickly, noting the sudden anxious query in her eyes. “I’ll find my back-trail, but it may take time. Meanwhile you’ve got to eat, and keep dry.”
“It isn’t going to rain.”
“Not now, but it may any time. I’ll get you comfortable here and then I’ll take to the woods——”
“And leave me alone?”