I'm 'fraid we're lost here 'n the big woods.' We groped about for a minute, trying to find the trail.
'No use,' he said presently, 'we'll hev t' stop right here.

Oughter known berter 'n t' come through s' near sundown.

Guess it was more 'n anybody could do.' He built a fire and began to lay out a supper for us then, while Fred sat down by me to be relieved of his bundles.

Our supper was rather dry, for we had no water, but it was only two hours since we left the spring, so we were not suffering yet Uncle Eb took out of the fire a burning brand of pine and went away into the gloomy woods, holding it above his head, while Fred and I sat by the fire.
''S lucky we didn't go no further,' he said, as he came in after a few minutes.

'There's a big prec'pice over yender.