“Yes, sir, that’s it. I’ve been lost before with half a dozen, sir, and every one thought different. One wanted to go one way; one wanted to go another. Fact is, gentlemen, we neither of us know the way. It’s all guesswork. Once lost, there’s nothing to guide you. I can’t recollect this tree or that tree, because they’re all so much alike, and it’s as puzzling as being in the dark. There’s only one way out of it, and that is to do as I say; you stand fast, and I’ll cast about like a dog does after losing the scent till I find the right track. Only mind this: if I don’t have you to guide me back with whistle and shout I shall be lost more and more.”
“You are right, Naylor,” said Brazier; “we leave ourselves in your hands. Go on.”
“Cheer up, Mr Rob, sir; don’t be down-hearted. I shall find the way out of it yet.”
“I was not thinking about myself, Shaddy,” said Rob in a choking voice. “I was thinking about poor Joe.”
“Ah!” said Shaddy in a suppressed voice. Then sharply, “I shall whistle at first, and one of you keep answering. By-and-by I shall shout like this.”
He uttered a peculiarly shrill cry, and they all started, for it was answered from a distance.
“Why, that’s Joe,” cried Rob joyfully. “Ahoy! ahoy!” he cried, and paused to listen.
“Nay, sir, that wasn’t Mr Jovanni, but one of the wild beasts. Sounded to me like one of them little lions. Stop a bit, though; let’s try a shout or two to see if the boys in the boat can hear us now.”
He hailed half a dozen times at intervals, but there was no reply.
“Thought not,” he said. “Only waste of breath. We’ve wandered away farther than I thought, and the trees shuts in sound. Stand fast, gentlemen, till I come back.”