and I'm going to
make casts for it. You both stand fast and answer my whistles; then I
shall know where you are and can come back and start again. If we don't
act sensible we shall lose ourselves altogether and never get out of
it."

"And then?" said Brazier.

"Oh, never mind about _then_, sir. I've lost my way a bit, and I'm
going to find it somehow, only give me time."

"Which way do you think the river lies?" said Rob gloomily.

"I'm going to try out yonder, sir. You see we've turned and doubled so
that I can't tell where we are."

"But it's out that way, I'm sure," said Rob, pointing in the opposite
direction.

"Why are you sure, sir?"

Rob shook his head.

"Ah, to be sure, dear lad!" said the guide; "you only think it's out
that way, and I daresay Mr Brazier here thinks it's out another way."

"Well, I must confess," said Brazier, "that I thought the river lay
behind us."

"Yes, sir, that's it. I've been lost before with half a dozen, sir, and
every one thought different. One wanted to go one way; one wanted to go
another. Fact is, gentlemen, we neither of us know the way. It's all
guesswork. Once lost, there's nothing to guide you. I can't recollect
this tree or that tree, because they're all so much alike, and it's as
puzzling as being in the dark. There's only one way out of it, and that
is to do as I say; you stand fast, and I'll cast about like a dog does
after losing the scent till I find the right track. Only mind this: if
I don't have you to guide me back with whistle and shout I shall be lost
more and more."

"You are right, Naylor," said Brazier; "we leave ourselves in your
hands. Go on."

"Cheer up, Mr Rob, sir; don't be down-hearted. I shall find the way
out of it yet."

"I was not thinking about myself, Shaddy," said Rob in a choking voice.
"I was thinking about poor Joe."

"Ah!" said Shaddy in a suppressed voice. Then sharply, "I shall whistle
at first, and one of you keep answering. By-and-by I shall shout like
this."

He uttered a peculiarly shrill cry, and they all started, for it was
answered from a distance.

"Why, that's Joe," cried Rob joyfully. "Ahoy! ahoy!" he cried, and
paused to listen.

"Nay, sir, that wasn't Mr Jovanni, but one of the wild beasts. Sounded
to me like one of them little lions. Stop a bit, though; let's try a
shout or two to see if the boys in the boat can hear us now."

He hailed half a dozen times at intervals, but there was no