lad. Sit down on that old
trunk--No, don't; I daresay it's full of stinging ants and things, and
perhaps there's a snake or two. We'll sit on this root and have a good
feed, and then take up our track again."

Rob seated himself sadly down, while the guide unpacked his store of
meat wrapped in green leaves; and the boy felt annoyed with himself for
his want of forethought on seeing how carefully his companion put back
and bound up some of the best, nodding, as he caught Rob's eyes fixed
upon him.

"For Mr Brazier," he said. "He'll be glad enough of a bit o' meat when
we find him."

They began eating directly, washing down the savoury roast with handfuls
of clear water scooped up from the stream which bubbled and foamed by in
its rocky bed.

"Well, now look at that!" cried Shaddy the next minute, as with one
tremendous bound the puma alighted just before them, and stood looking
at Rob and lashing its tail. "Why, he must have come after us all the
time. Trust an animal for smelling meat."

Rob shared his portion with the great cat, which also crunched up the
bones. Then once more they began their search, taking up their own
trail backward, and with no little difficulty following it to the
opening, from whence they kept on making casts, till night was once more
approaching. They tramped back to the hut just in time to save their
fire; but they had nothing to cook, the remains of the iguana being too
far gone, and their meal consisted of nuts and water; though the puma
feasted well.

The next morning they were off again soon after daylight, after
breakfasting off fish secured by Shaddy as soon as it was light, while a
couple more were roasted and taken with them.

This time they tried a fresh direction, trusting more to chance; and as
they toiled on Shaddy grew more and more serious while forcing his way
through the trees, and his manner was softer and gentler to his
companion, who rarely spoke now save to the puma, which grew hourly more
confident, and kept close at Rob's heels, giving his leg a rub whenever
he stopped short to glance about him through the solemn shadows of the
forest.

For this was the third day of their search, and it was impossible to
help feeling that it was the very last upon which they could cling to
hope.

It passed as the others had done--in one weary tramp and struggle, but
without a single sign of the lost one to give them encouragement to
proceed; and at last, when they were