gully, and there I made myself a bed of dry leaves.
On this I lay down, and was fast drifting into the Land of Nod, when I was aroused by a sound something like the rattling of tinware.
I promptly sat up and listened. Again I heard the rattling, and as it evidently come from the ravine, I arose and began an investigation.
Peering over the edge of the gully, I saw at the bottom, about fifteen feet below, a bright light, and the rattling sound again smote my ears.
By this time my curiosity was excited to the utmost, and, catching hold of a small sapling, I leaned far over the edge to observe the why and wherefor. As I did so, I felt the sapling giving away, and I made a desperate attempt to recover myself.
It was no use. Down went the sapling into the ravine and I along with it.
CHAPTER XV.
I MEET AN ECCENTRIC DOCTOR AND ENTER INTO HIS SERVICE.
The sapling and I fell directly on a fire of branches, from which came the light at which I had been gazing.
I was slightly stunned, but I scrambled to my feet just as a heavy hand was laid on my collar, and a gruff voice said: