"Doubtless he was hunting here," said Von Horst.
"If he was hunting," said Muviro, "he would have moved in a straight line until he caught the scent spoor of game or came to a well-beaten game trail."
"And then what would he do?" asked Gridley.
"He might wait above the trail," replied Muviro, "or he might follow it. In a new country like this, I think he would follow it, for he has always been interested in exploring every new country he entered."
"Then let us push straight into the forest in this same direction until we strike a game trail," said Gridley.
Muviro and three of his warriors went ahead, cutting brush where it was necessary and blazing the trees at frequent intervals that they might more easily retrace their steps to the ship. With the aid of a small pocket compass Gridley directed the line of advance, which otherwise it would have been difficult to hold accurately beneath that eternal noonday sun, whose warm rays filtered down through the foliage of the forest.
"God! What a forest!" exclaimed Von Horst. "To search for a man here is like the proverbial search for the needle in a haystack."
"Except," said Gridley, "that one might stand a slight chance of finding the needle."
"Perhaps we had better fire a shot occasionally," suggested Von Horst.
"Excellent," said Gridley. "The rifles carry a much heavier charge and make a louder report than our revolvers."