Teddy dropped on one knee, and laid a hand on the man’s shoulder. A shudder ran through the body.
“Here!” Teddy said sharply. “What’s the matter? Can you speak?”
“Tired,” the man mumbled. “Hungry. Let me be.”
Roy, who was lying near by, awoke and sat up, blinking. When he saw his brother bending over the man he thought at first that Teddy was trying to rouse one of the sleepers.
“Shake him, Teddy,” he advised in a drowsy voice. “What’s the matter—did he steal your blanket?”
“Roy, come here,” Teddy said quickly. “I think this is some one you know.”
“Some one I—” Then the meaning of Teddy’s sentence penetrated his brother’s half-awakened mind, and he struggled to his feet. By this time the others were stirring, asking questions in sleepy tones and rolling about to see the cause of the disturbance.
Roy hastened to his brother’s side. Together, the two boys turned the man over, so that he faced the fire. As the glare of the newly fed flames glinted in his face, he made a feeble gesture of protest and covered his eyes with his hand. Then letting the arm drop like a dead thing, he sighed painfully.
Teddy, seeing the face, started back.
“The Pup!” he exclaimed, and turned at a touch on his shoulder. His father was peering down at their visitor.