“But health is the first consideration,” he said, smiling. “A palace is little more than an infirmary to a sick person, and out here a snug cottage such as we can soon run up will become a palace to one who recovers health. Isn’t Master Dean a long time gone? Oh, here he is. Well, where is Quong?”
“Can’t find him anywhere, sir, nor his bundle neither.”
“What? Absurd! He cannot have gone out. He cooked the breakfast. Did any one see him go?”
“I asked several of the men and women, sir, and they had not seen him.”
“Asleep somewhere perhaps, as he feels that his work is done. Here, we must find him, or he will throw my arrangements all wrong, and we shall have to wait till another day. It’s a pity I did not speak last night, but I was not sure then.”
“I’ll soon find him,” I said.
“Yes, do, my lad, while I see to the rifle and ammunition.”
“Come along, Esau,” I said; and he followed me as I hurried out.
“Well, where are you going?” grumbled Esau. “I suppose you are very clever, but I should like to know how you are going to find him!”
“But you have not searched everywhere.”