When he woke, he was much calmer and spoke almost rationally. I explained the position and he seemed to understand it; and when I said our safety depended upon our getting to some place of shelter, he agreed. But I noticed that he would not look me in the face, and kept eyeing me furtively with quick, stealthy glances, lowering his head each time I looked at him.
This was a small matter, however; and as he rose readily to go with me, I was more hopeful than I had been at any time before.
But I found that I was used up. I could scarcely drag one leg after the other; and when after some time I saw a cattle shed with the door invitingly ajar, the desire for rest, the imperative need for it, indeed, took too strong a hold of me to be resisted.
I found some fodder lying in one corner of the place and on this he lay down immediately, declaring that he was worn out, In the hope that the rest, even without sleep, would serve to refresh me, I sat up and watched while he slept as quietly and peacefully as a child.
But nature would not be denied; and when I caught myself nodding drowsily, I fastened his wrist to mine with my handkerchief, and lay back with an intense sigh of relief. I was a light sleeper at all times, and was confident that the least movement of my companion would rouse me.
My confidence was misplaced, however. I must have slept very soundly, for when I woke the sun was high in the heavens streaming in through the wide open door, and a man, presumably the owner of the barn, was standing over me with a pitchfork in his hand, demanding very angrily what I meant by sleeping there.
One end of the handkerchief was still fastened to my wrist, but the other was dangling loose.
"You’ll come to the police, you rascal," cried the farmer. "Who are you and what the devil do you mean by being here? Where do you come from?"
He flung the questions at me as I sat up rubbing my eyes and blinking stupidly at him.
I made an effort to rise, but he threatened me with the fork. "Lie still, or you’ll have something else than bread in your belly for breakfast," he threatened.
[Illustration: "I made an effort to rise, but he threatened me with the fork." _Page 265_]
I saw the force of the argument and obeyed. "I am sorry you take it so ill. I have done no harm and----"