Both of these he cleaned and cooked at
once. When this was done night had come, but he ate again, and
then, securing all his treasures about him, fell into the best
sleep that he had enjoyed since his flight.
He felt very strong the next morning, and he might have started
then, but he was prudent. There was still a chance of meeting
the Iroquois, and the ankle might not stand so severe a test. He
would rest in his nest for another day, and then he would be
equal to anything. Few could lie a whole day in one place with
but little to do and with nothing passing before the eyes, but it
was a part of Henry's wilderness training, and he showed all the
patience of the forester. He knew, too, as the hours went by,
that his strength was rising all the while. To-morrow almost the
last soreness would be gone from his ankle and then he could
glide swiftly over the snow, back to his comrades. He was
content. He had, in fact, a sense of great triumph because he
had overcome so much, and here was new food in this example for
future efforts of the mind, for future victories of the will over
the body. The wintry sun came to the zenith, then passed slowly
down the curve, but all the time the boy scarcely stirred.
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