“Feel sure of it, sir, but it ain’t like a dog. You can’t make a companion of a scratching thing like that.”
“Why not? A dog’s a biting thing,” said Rob shortly.
“Well, yes, sir, but here we are. Better get him ashore. There ain’t room for him aboard here. There might be a row, for he ain’t ready to make friends with everybody.”
Rob stepped on to the gunwale rather unwillingly, for, in a misty way, he was beginning to wonder whether it was possible for him to retain the puma as a companion, though all the time he could see the difficulties in the way.
He leaped ashore, and, as Shaddy had suggested, the puma immediately made a light effortless bound and landed beside him, pressing close up to the lad’s side and rubbing one ear against his hand, while the occupants of the boat looked wonderingly on.
“What am I to do next?” asked Rob. “If I jump back on board, he’ll come too.”
“Safe,” said Shaddy; “and there’s no more room for passengers. Here, stop a moment; I have it.”
“What are you going to do?” said Brazier, who was watching the movements of the puma with anxiety on Rob’s behalf, but with keen interest all the same, as he saw the active creature suddenly throw itself down by the boy’s feet and, playful as a kitten, begin to pat at first one boot and then the other, ending by rubbing its head upon them, watching their owner all the time.
“I’m going to get Mr Rob aboard without that great cat, sir, and this seems best way.”
He drew his knife, raised the tarpaulin, and cut off a good-sized piece of the deer meat; then, bidding the men to take their oars and be ready to row at the first command, he turned to Rob.