ticles of clothing out in the warm sunshine
to dry and found the two lads seated together in silence, Rob with his
elbows on the side of the boat and his chin in his, hands, gazing back
ashore.

"I can't get a word out of him, sir," said Joe. "I think it's because
the lion was left behind."

"Nonsense! Rob is not so childish as to fret after a toy he cannot
have. Come, my lad, there is plenty to do. We must make use of the
evening sun to get everything possible dry. Come and help. Wet clothes
and wet sleeping-places may mean fever."

Rob looked reproachfully at Joe, and began to hurry himself directly,
his movement bringing him in contact with Shaddy, who was dividing his
time between keeping a sharp look-out along the shore for a good
halting-place suitable for making a fire, giving instructions to his
men, and using a sponge with which to sop up every trace of moisture he
could find within the boat.

"There, Mr Rob, sir," he said as he gave the sponge a final squeeze
over the side, "I think that'll about do. It's an ill wind that blows
nobody any good. That storm has done one thing--given the boat a good
wash-out--and if we make a big fire to-night and dry everything that got
wet, we shall be all the better for it. Don't see storms like that in
England, eh?"

"No," said Rob shortly, and he took down and began rubbing the moisture
from his gun.

"Ah, that's right, my lad; always come down sharp on the rust, and stop
it from going any further. Why, hullo! not going to be ill, are you?"

Rob shook his head.

"You look as dumps as dumps, Mr Rob, sir. I know you're put out about
that great cat being left behind."

Rob was silent.

"That's it. Why, never mind that, my lad. You can get plenty of things
to tame and pet, if you want 'em, though I say as we eight folks is
quite enough in one boat without turning it into a wild beast show."

Rob went on rubbing the barrel of his gun.

"What do you say to a nice young pet snake, sir?" said Shaddy, with his
eyes twinkling, till Rob darted an angry glance at him, when he changed
his tone and manner.

"Tell you what, sir, I'll get one of my boys to climb a tree first time
I see an old one with some good holes in. He shall get you a nice young
parrot to bring up. You'll like them; they're full of tricks, and as
tame as can be. Why, one of them would live on the top of the cabin,
and climb about in a way as would amoose you for hours."

Rob darted an