Meanwhile, to help his companion more than from any desire for food, Rob had risen and cut some big palm leaves, laid them down, and then raked a hole in the heap of embers ready for the fish.
“That’s better,” said Shaddy, as he lifted the great parcel he had made of the fish; and depositing his load in the embers, he took the rough branch they used for a rake and poker in one, and covered the packet deeply.
“There, Mr Rob, sir; that’s the best thing for our low spirits. We shall be better after that physic.”
“Hush!” cried Rob excitedly.
“Eh! What? Did you hear something?”
“Yes: a faint cry.”
“No!”
“But I did. And look at the puma: he heard it too. Didn’t you see it start and leave the fish?”
“Yes, but I thought I startled it. He’s very suspicious of me, and I don’t suppose we shall ever be good friends.”
“No, it was not that,” whispered Rob, whose voice trembled as if he were alarmed.