At that moment a great shout of triumph arose around the grass clump, and with one accord the little party pressed forward to ascertain its cause.
The sharp report of a gun sent the major spurring in advance. Had his friend forgot his caution? How had he dared to fire?
Another moment and he saw Mr. Desborough wheel round, raise himself slightly in his stirrups, and discharge his second barrel at a dusky speck emerging from the tufted grass. The tall blades swayed and quivered with the report. There was a smothered shuffling sound, a heavy thud upon the ground, a rustling in the quivering grasses. The native grooms ran forward eagerly, and dragged out the body of a satiated wolf.
"A cool shot, Desborough," observed the major.
"It may save another parent such a pang as mine, but it cannot give me back my child," groaned Mr. Desborough.
CHAPTER III.
HOW THE SEARCH ENDED.
Their work was not yet done. There were many narrow paths leading into the clump, which the wild beasts had made for their own convenience. Some of the grass had been cut down by the wild boar's tusks, and some of it had been trampled under-foot. Mr. Desborough dismounted, determined to penetrate the tangled mass, to see if any vestige of his little darling was to be found there.
The major followed him; old Gobur entered by another path.
"Let me go with you," entreated Oliver, as the coolies set down his sister's dandy under a tree, and flung themselves upon the ground to rest, waiting until some of the men in the nearest village should answer their summons, and present themselves according to custom, prepared to take their places.