Mr. Wolston had all the provisions which had been put on board transferred to the waggon. At the same time final attentions were given to the two buffaloes and the onager, in view of a start at daybreak.
Mme. Zermatt was quite broken down, only opening her lips to murmur:
"My boy! Oh, my poor boy!"
Suddenly about eight o'clock, the two dogs, Turk and Brownie, began to show signs of excitement. Mr. Wolston noticed how they ran in front of the verandah across the yard. Brownie was especially restless.
Then distant barking was distinctly heard.
"It's Fawn!" cried Ernest.
Fawn—Jack's dog! Brownie and Turk recognised him too, for they answered by barking more loudly than ever.
M. and Mme. Zermatt, with Mrs. Wolston and Hannah, rushed out of the verandah.
Jack appeared at the gate and flung himself into his mother's arms.
"Yes, I'm all right!" he cried. "But there may be great danger before us!"