I recoiled shuddering.
“We must get away to a place of safety, hide for a few days, and then try again. I shall be stronger perhaps then, and can help.”
“It is right,” said the doctor calmly. “Come, Joe. Patience!”
I saw that he was right, for the fire was leaping from hut to hut, and there was a glow that lit up the forest far and wide. Had anyone come near we must have been seen, but the savages were all apparently congregated near the burning huts, while the great sparks and flakes of fire rose up and floated far away above the trees, glittering like stars in the ruddy glow.
“Go on then,” I said, with a groan of disappointment, and Mr Francis took the lead once more, and, the doctor following, I was last.
“But Jimmy!” I said. “We must not leave him behind.”
“He will find us,” said the doctor. “Come along.”
There was nothing for me to do but obey, so I followed reluctantly, the glow from the burning village being so great that the branches of the trees stood up clearly before us, and we had no difficulty in going on.
I followed more reluctantly when I remembered Gyp, and chirruped to him, expecting to find him at my heels, but he was not there.
“He has gone on in front,” I thought, and once more I tramped wearily on, when there was a rush and a bound and Gyp leaped up at me, catching my jacket in his teeth and shaking it hard.