be satisfied; and for the moment, as he fell to after his long
fast, Rob forgot his boyish companion and the second loss he had
sustained. But as soon as he had finished, the depression came back,
and he felt ashamed of himself for having enjoyed his food instead of
dwelling upon some means of finding out where Mr Brazier had strayed.

His attention was taken off, though, directly by Shaddy, who said
slowly:

"That's better. Nothing like a good honest meal for setting a man going
again and making him ready to think and work. I say, look yonder at
your tom-cat."

The fire had just fallen together, and was blazing up so as to spread a
circle of light for some distance round; and upon looking in the
direction of the puma Rob could see it lying down feasting away upon its
share of the deer, apparently quite confident that it was in the
neighbourhood of friends, and not likely to be saluted with a shot.

It struck Rob that the animal must be pretty well satisfied now with
food, and in consequence less likely to be vicious, so he rose.

"Where are you going, Mr Rob, sir?" said Shaddy.

"Over to the puma."

"I wouldn't. Oh, I don't know. Best time to make friends--after
dinner. I'd be careful, though, my lad."

"Yes; I'll take care," said Rob, who felt a strong desire to find
another friend out there in the wilderness, now that his companions were
dropping away; and thinking that the time might come when he would be
quite alone, he walked slowly toward where the puma was crunching up
some of the tender bones of the deer.

Rob kept a little to one side, so that his shadow should not fall upon
the animal, which paid no heed to his approach for a few moments; then
uttered a low fierce snarl and laid down its ears, making the boy stop
short and feel ready to retreat, as the animal suddenly sprang up and
stood lashing its tail and licking its lips. But it made no further
menacing sign, and walked quietly toward him and then stood waiting.

Rob hesitated. Nature suggested flight, but Rob wanted to tame the
beast, and mastering his dread he advanced, and in spite of a warning
admonition from Shaddy, took another step or two and stopped by the
puma, which stared at him intently for a few moments. It then set all
doubts as to its feelings at rest by suddenly butting its head against
Rob's leg, and as the lad bent down and patted it, threw itself on one
side, and with the playful action of a kitten curved its paws, m