ade dabs
with them at the lad's foot, and ended by holding it and rubbing its
head against his boot.

"Well done, beast tamer!" cried Shaddy; and the puma threw up its head
directly and stared in the direction of the sound; but a touch from
Rob's hand quieted it, and it stretched itself out and lay with its eyes
half closed, apparently thoroughly enjoying the caresses of its human
friend.

"Better get to the shelter, Mr Rob, sir," said Shaddy suddenly; and
after a final pat and stroke, the boy turned away from the puma and
walked back to the fire, finding that the animal had sprung up and
followed him directly for about half the distance, but only to stop
short and stand there, handsome and lithe, watching them and the fire,
while its tail played about and the fine hairs glistened.

"He don't know what to make of me, Mr Rob, sir; and as we've no dog I
may as well be friends too. Try and bring him up. He won't be a bad
companion, 'specially if he hunts deer for us like he did to-night.
He'll be good as a gun."

"He doesn't seem to like you, Shaddy."

"No, sir. I'm old and tough; you're young and tender," said the guide
grimly. "He's cunning, as all cats are; and some day, when he's hungry
and is enjoying you, he'll say to himself--`This is a deal better than
that tough old sailor, who'd taste strong of tar and bilge.' Here, what
are you going to do?"

"Try and fetch him here," said Rob, smiling as he went close up to the
puma, which crouched again at his approach; and full of confidence now,
the lad went down on one knee, patting and stroking the beast for a
minute, talking softly the while.

The result was that as he rose the puma leaped up, bounded round him,
and then followed close up to the fire, but met all Shaddy's advances
with a low growl and a laying down of its ears flat upon its head.

"All right," said Shaddy, "I don't want to be friends if you don't,
puss; only let's have a--what-you-may-call-it?"

"Truce," suggested Rob.

"That's it, sir. I won't show fight if he won't. Now then, sir, let's
make up the fire; and then--bed."

Shaddy quickly piled up a quantity of wood on the embers, beating and
smothering it down, so that they might have it as a protection against
enemies and as a ready friend in the morning. Then, shouldering the
portion left of the deer, he led the way to the rough hut, hung the meat
high up in a tree and crept in, Rob following and wondering whether the
puma would s