You know, brother, we have been too busy in making our tree-bridge, and afterwards exploring the cavern, to think of much else." Karl admitted the truth of these observations; for it was as Caspar had alleged.

During the whole time of their residence in the valley, the minds of all three, filled with anxiety about the future, had been keenly bent upon devising some means of escape; and on this account they had given very little attention to anything that did not in some way contribute to that end.

Even Caspar, in his hunting excursions, had not gone over one-half of the valley; nor had these excursions been very numerous.

In three or four days he had procured as much _meat_ as was necessary.

This had been carefully cured by Ossaroo, and formed the staple of their daily food.