Again they fired as before.

The result was the same; there was no answer to their signal.
"It proves that he is very distant," said Lucien, "for sounds can be heard a great way off in this region." "Let us try a smoke," said Basil, putting away his rifle.

"Gather some wood, Luce, while I kindle the leaves." Basil picked up some pieces of the burning wad; and having taken it out to the open ground, raked together a pile of dry leaves and grass, and ignited it.

Meanwhile Lucien collected an armful of sticks, and placed them upon the pile.

Others were then thrown on top, with green leaves and boughs broken from the trees, and, over all, several armfuls of Spanish moss which hung plentifully from the oaks.