But the forest ground was covered with a thick coating of fallen leaves of other years, and these made a soft cushion on which he had fallen.
Up he rose again, more desperate than before. He clenched his hands tightly, his hunger now forgotten and his only idea being to rush away out of the darkness, back to the light and cheerfulness of the bungalow.
For a moment Teddy was dazed. Then, as his mind cleared, he looked through the trees and caught a glimpse of a light. At first he thought it was a campfire, but soon saw it was only the last fading rays of the red sunset.
“I’ll go that way—toward the sun,” decided Teddy.
On and on he stumbled. Once, before he knew it, he had walked into a swampy place in the woods, and his feet got wet. But this was a small matter now. His heart thumped under his little jacket, and he had to close his teeth hard to keep from screaming out.
“But I mustn’t be a coward! I mustn’t be a coward!” thought Teddy.
On and on he went. The red sunset died away. The woods were now very dark.
Suddenly, through the gloom, came a strange cry. It was a high, shrill wail, and at first Teddy thought some one had called to him.
“Here I am! Here I am!” he answered.
Then, as the strange, wailing cry sounded again, Teddy knew it was no person calling.