But he made no reference to
the matter. His own noises did no harm apparently. He was perfectly
honest about it, not merely putting the blame elsewhere to draw
attention from himself. His uncle's size and visibility were co-
related in his mind. Being convinced that he moved as stealthily and
soundlessly as a Redskin, it followed obviously that his companion
_didn't_.
The dusk had noticeably deepened when at length they reached a little
clearing and stood upright, perspiring freely, and both a little
flustered. The silence was really extraordinary. It seemed they had
entered a private place, a secret chamber where they had no right, and
were intruders. The clearing formed a circle, and from the open sky
overhead a grey, mysterious light fell softly on the leafy walls. They
paused and peered about them.
"Hark! What's that?" asked Tim in a whisper.
"Nothing," replied the other.
"But I heard it," the boy insisted; "something rushing."
"I'm rather out of breath, perhaps."
The boy looked at him reproachfully. His expression suggested "Why
_are_ you so noisy and enormous? It's hopeless, really!" But aloud he
merely said, "It's got awfully dark all of a sudden.
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