opened up to let him pass, but unfortunately a small

tent that stood in the way was not so obliging. Into

it he went, head foremost, like a shell, carried away the

corner post with his shoulder, and brought the whole

affair down about his own ears and those of its inmates,

among whom were several children and two or three

dogs. It required some time to extricate them all from

the ruins, but when this was effected it was found that

no serious damage had been done to life or limb.

CHAPTER IX.