The boy pushed aside the underbrush and then understood what had caused Doto’s agitation.
A giant puma lay on its side in a pool of blood, its throat horribly mangled and torn.
One of the gladiators of the night before!
Bomba knew that but for the timely interference and help of Doto, he, too, might have been lying in some such pool as this. But he would not have been as intact as the puma. All that would have been left of him would have been a few scattered bones. He would have furnished a royal meal for the denizens of the jungle.
He stood for a moment looking thoughtfully at the beast, his eyes gleaming, lips drawn back a little to show two rows of even white teeth.
Then he flung back his head and turned to the monkey.
“Bomba will never forget what Doto has done,” he said. “But now Bomba must go. He must say farewell to Doto. It may be many moons before Bomba will see Doto again.”
The monkey whimpered and put his hand on Bomba’s shoulder. No human being could have asked more clearly that he be permitted to go along.
But Bomba smiled affectionately and patted the creature’s head.
“Bomba must go alone,” he said. “He must sail great waters where Doto would be lonely and afraid because there were not any trees. Doto must go back to his own people. But if he ever needs Bomba and can call to him, Bomba will come. For Doto has been a good friend to Bomba.”