top near them.

But the animal hung back as Rob followed his companion into the dark
triangular-shaped space, where, after a short time devoted to
meditation, he threw himself upon his bed of leaves to lie and think of
his two lost companions.

At least, that was his intention, but the moment Rob rose in the
darkness from his knees and lay down with a restful sigh, he dropped
into a deep dreamless sleep, from which he half awoke once to stretch
out his hand and feel it rest upon something furry and warm, which he
dimly made out to be the curled-up body of the puma. Then he slept
again till broad daylight showed in through the end of the bough, but
half shut away by the figure of the guide, who said roughly:

"Now you two: time to get up."

At that moment Rob's hand rested upon a round, soft head, which began to
move, and commenced a vibratory movement as a deep humming purr filled
the place.

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT.

THE END OF THE QUEST.

It was hard work to be dull and low-spirited in the midst of the
beautiful scene which greeted Rob as he stepped out and followed Shaddy
down to the fire. The clearing was one mass of glorious colour, the sky
gorgeous with the sunrise tints, and the river flushed with orange, blue
and gold. Birds sang, piped, and shrieked loudly, butterflies were
beginning to flutter about, and a loud chattering from the nearest tree
roused Rob to the fact that the puma had been following him, for it
suddenly made three or four leaps in the direction of the sounds, and
then crouched down to gaze at a party of monkeys, which were leaping
about, scolding, shrieking and chattering angrily at the enemy watching
their movements. Directly after, though, the puma returned to Rob's
side, uttering a sound strongly suggestive of the domestic cat.

"Going to have a dip, Mr Rob, sir?" said Shaddy. And then--"I'd be
very careful, sir; you know how full of biting varmin the river is.
Look sharp; breakfast's ready, and as soon as we've done we'll go and
find Mr Brazier."

"Try to," cried the boy sadly.

"Find him, Mr Rob, sir. Bah! who's going to say die on a lovely
morning in a lovely place like this?"

Rob thought of his companion's words as he turned down to the edge of
the water and bathed, with the puma sitting near watching him,
apparently with wonder. Then, refreshed and invigorated, he hastened
back to where there was the appetising odour of roasting meat, while the
puma returned to t