The giant, without waiting for a reply, took the child from Nan's arms so gently that he did not even rouse him from his slumber.
The weapons were next carefully examined, and the provisions, having been repacked into one parcel, were consigned to the charge of Actæon, who undertook to carry them on his back.
Cousin Benedict, whose wiry limbs seemed capable of bearing any amount of fatigue, was quite ready to start. It was doubtful whether he had noticed Harris's disappearance; he was suffering from a loss which to him was of far greater importance. He had mislaid his spectacles and magnifying-glass. It had happened that Bat had picked them up in the long grass, close to the spot where the amateur naturalist had been lying, but acting on a hint from Dick Sands, he said nothing about them; in this way the entomologist, who, without his glasses could scarcely see a yard beyond his face, might be expected to be kept without trouble in the limits of the ranks, and having been placed between Actæon and Austin with strict injunctions not to leave their side, he followed them as submissively as a blind man in leading-strings.
The start was made. But scarcely had the little troop advanced fifty yards upon their way, when Tom suddenly cried out,-
"Where's Dingo?"
With all the force of his tremendous lungs, Hercules gave a series of reverberating shouts:-
"Dingo! Dingo! Dingo!"
Not a bark could be distinguished in reply
"Dingo! Dingo! Dingo!" again echoed in the air.
But all was silence.