“Well, there’s no mistake about this,” said Rob aloud; “you and I are good friends, and you must be a tame one. The thing is, where is your master?”
Rob had hardly uttered the word “tame” before the puma’s eyes dilated, and it uttered a low, deep growl, staring fiercely the while at the boat.
Rob followed the direction of the animal’s eyes, and saw that it was watching Brazier, who had just stepped out from the canvas cabin, holding a gun in his hand.
“Don’t! don’t do that!” cried Rob excitedly. “It’s quite tame, Mr Brazier. Look!”
He was about to bend down and caress the puma again; but as he turned it was only to see its soft, tawny skin and outstretched tail as it made one bound into the thick, low growth of bush and feathery grass, and it was gone.
“Why, Rob,” cried his leader, “how could you be so foolish as to go near that savage beast?”
“But it isn’t savage,” said the lad eagerly; “it’s as tame as any cat. It must belong to some one near.”
By this time Shaddy had heard the talking and risen, rather apologetic for sleeping so long, and as soon as he had called up his men and sent them ashore to see to the fire the case was laid before him.
“Nay, Master Rob,” he said, “there’s no one about here to tame lions. It’s a wild one sure enough. Dessay
