His restlessness was gone, and he was content to lay still, measuring the time by watching the stars that rose in endless succession above the forests, while the slight puffs of wind under the cloudless sky seemed to fan their twinkle into a greater brightness.

Dreamily he assured himself over and over again that she would come, till the certitude crept into his heart and filled him with a great peace.

Yes, when the next day broke, they would be together on the great blue sea that was like life--away from the forests that were like death.

He murmured the name of Nina into the silent space with a tender smile: this seemed to break the spell of stillness, and far away by the creek a frog croaked loudly as if in answer.

A chorus of loud roars and plaintive calls rose from the mud along the line of bushes.