he remains of its last night's feast.

Half an hour after, armed with rough spear, bow and arrows, and a big
package of roasted meat, consisting of deer legs, and the best parts of
the iguana which Shaddy had taken out and begun cooking while Rob still
slept, they were threading their way amongst the trees once more, with
the puma somewhere behind them, for they could hear it utter a curious
cry from time to time, though they never once caught sight of it in the
dense growth.

"Feel as if I was right, don't you, my lad?" said Shaddy, as they
tramped on. "Couldn't have got through the trees like this without rest
and food."

"You were quite right," replied Rob. "Where are you making for?"

"The place I showed you last night. I think we'll start from there."

It was a long time before they reached the spot, and examined it
carefully, to find more traces of Mr Brazier having been there and
stopping. So they shouted and whistled again and again, but there was
no response, and trying to pick up the trail they started again--now
utterly baffled and ready to return, now gathering fresh hope on
suddenly coming upon a scrap of orchid or a bunch of woodland flowers,
which had been carefully gathered and thrown down, apparently by some
one wearied out. Then Rob uttered a cry of excitement, for he stumbled
suddenly upon a spot which was comparatively open, so that the sunshine
penetrated. It was no doubt the work of a hurricane, for great trees
lay prostrate, decaying fast, and fresh flowery growths had sprung up.
Birds and insects were plentiful, and the spot looked lovely after the
gloom of the forest shades. Here was the crushed-down growth where he
they sought had lain down to sleep, unless it was the resting-place of
an Indian.

Rob suggested it and Shaddy replied angrily:

"Look here, youngster, if ever you want a nickname call yourself Wet
Blanket. What a fellow you are for making the worst of everything!
Some one lay down to rest here, didn't he?"

"Yes, I think so."

"And I'm sure. Now look at the places where the flowers have been
snapped off. I know what you're saying to yourself: `wild beast or
Indian!' Now, I ask you, sir, as a young English gent who has been to
school and can read and write, do wild beasts and Indians go about
picking flowers or collecting anything that isn't good to eat?"

"Ah, Shaddy," said Rob sadly, "you beat me at arguing. I'm afraid to
hope that we shall find him alive, b