But poor Dick
was not found, and all wondered greatly what had, become of him.
Tom and the others retired at ten o'clock. But not to sleep, for
with Dick missing none of the Rovers could close an eye. "We must
find him in the morning," said Sam. "We simply must!" And the
others agreed with him.
CHAPTER XXV
DICK AND THE LION
When poor Dick came to his senses he was lying in a heap on the
decayed leaves at the bottom of the hollow between the rocks. The
stuff Josiah Crabtree had thrown down still lay on top, of him,
and it was a wonder that he had not been smothered.
"Where in the world am I?" was the first thought which crossed his
confused mind. He tried to sit up, but found this impossible
until he had scattered the dead leaves and tree branches. Even
then he was so bewildered that he hardly knew what to do,
excepting to stare around at his strange surroundings. Slowly the
truth dawned upon him -- how Josiah Crabtree had struck him down
on the lake shore.
"He must have brought me here," he murmured. "Perhaps he thought
I was dead!"
Although Dick did not know it, he had been at the bottom of the
hollow all evening and all night. The sun was now up once more,
but it was a day later than he imagined.
The hollow was damp and full of ants and other insects, and as
soon as he felt able the youth got up. There was a big lump
behind his left ear where the stick had descended, and this hurt
not a little.
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