bound to return if they intended to
sleep again in camp, Shaddy said suddenly:

"God help him, my lad: we've done all we can. Let's get back now. I
may think out something fresh by to-morrow morning. I can't do anything
to-night, for my head's like my legs--dead beat out."

Rob answered with a sigh, for his heart was very heavy now; and as his
companion stood calculating for a few minutes which way they should go,
he waited, and then followed behind him without a word.

They were a little earlier this time, but the sun had gone down before
they got out of the forest at the extreme corner on the right of their
hut; and as they trudged back the puma made two dashes at prey unseen by
the travellers, but without success, returning after each cautious crawl
and final bound to walk quietly along behind Rob, who, in a dull, heavy,
unthinking way, reached back to touch the beast, which responded with a
friendly pressure and rub of its head against the extended hand.

And as they crept slowly on, with the trees crowding round them as if to
hinder their progress, and the darkness of the umbrageous foliage
seeming to press down upon their heads, their journey was made with
greater difficulty than ever; for the spirit or energy had gone out of
Shaddy, who tramped on as if he were asleep.

It struck Rob once that this was the case, and he increased his own rate
so as to try and get ahead of his companion, but as soon as he drew
close up his comrade stopped.

"Like to go first, my lad?"

"No, no," said Rob hurriedly. "Are you sure of the road?"

"No, my lad, because there isn't one. I'm only pretty sure that we are
in the right direction."

It proved that he was correct when in due time they stood out in the
clearing, with the darkness falling fast; and then Shaddy said suddenly,
and as if with an effort:

"Come, Mr Rob, sir, we mustn't give up. Let's have some food, or we
shall be done. No deer meat to-night, no iguana. Get the fire going
while I go and try for a fish; there'll just be time."

Rob tramped heavily to the fire, and the guide went to the tree where he
had hung the line, baited it from the remains of the food, and strode
down to his favourite spot for fishing; while Rob busied himself raking
the fire together with a half-burned branch, and then, as it began to
smoke, piled on it the partly-burned brands, and upon them the pieces
industriously heaped together.

The blaze began to creep up and lick t