"Remember that your best friend just now is not Mr.Big Wolf, but Mr.Big Beech Tree, and it's a wise boy who sticks to his best friend." "I'm not likely to forget it," said Paul.
He shuddered again at the memory of the terrible, haunting eyes that had been able for a brief moment to draw him downward.

Then he clasped the friendly tree more tightly in his arms, and Henry smiled approval.
"That's right, Paul," he said, "hold fast.

I'd a heap rather be up here than down there." Paul felt himself with his hand.
"I'm all in one piece up here," he said, "and I think that's good for a fellow who wants to live and grow." Henry laughed with genuine enjoyment.

Paul was getting back his sense of humor, and the change meant that his comrade was once more strong and alert.

Then the larger boy looked down at their besiegers, who were sitting in a solemn circle, gazing now at the two lads and now at the venison, hanging from the boughs of another tree very near.