. So now then
let's start at once. Sun goes down pretty soon, and I've got to take
you by a round to where he broke down those flowers. Ready?"

"Yes," said Rob sadly; and they made a fresh start.

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.

IN PAINFUL QUEST.

At the end of a few minutes Shaddy turned his head and spoke over his
shoulder.

"Hear anything of your puss, Mr Rob?"

"I have fancied I heard him twice."

"Then he's after us, safe--depend upon it. These sort of things go
along on velvet, and can get under the trees and branches for hours
without your knowing anything about their being so near. Let's be
friends with him, my lad. We're lonely enough out here, and he'll get
his own living, you may depend upon that."

Shaddy pressed on as rapidly as he could, for the evening was drawing
nigh, and, as he said, it would be black night in there directly the sun
went down; but it was a long way, and Rob was growing weary of seeing
his companion keep on halting in doubt, before, with a look of triumph,
he stopped short and pointed to a broken-down creeper, a kind of
passion-flower, which had been dragged at till a mass of leafage and
flower had been drawn down from high up in the tree it climbed, to lie
in a heap.

"There you are, Mr Rob, sir."

"No, no, Shaddy; that might have been dragged down by a puma or jaguar,"
said Rob sadly.

"Then he must have carried a good sharp knife in his pocket, my lad,"
replied the old hunter. "Look at this."

He held up the end of the stem, for Rob to see that it had been divided
by one clean chop with a big knife.

"Yes, of course. He must have been here," cried Rob joyfully. "Now
then, we must find his trail and follow it on."

"We must make straight for camp, Mr Rob, sir," replied Shaddy, "hoping
to find him there, for in less than an hour's time we shall have to feel
our way."

"Oh, Shaddy!"

"Must, sir, and you know it. We must try all we know to get back, and I
tell you it's as much as I can do to find the way there. I'm sure I
can't follow Mr Brazier's trail."

Rob looked at him sternly.

"Fact, sir. You know I'm doing my best."

"Yes," said Rob, reproach sounding in his tones; but he could not help
feeling that he was a little unjust, as he tramped steadily on behind
his companion, who was very silent for some time, working hard to make
his way as near as possible along the track by which they had come.

Rob was just thinking that from the tone of the gloom