But those fierce eyes had no terrors for Bomba!
Astonishment, relief, delight chased themselves over the lad’s features.
His mouth opened and a low crooning sound issued from his lips, rising and falling in a weird jungle melody.
The effect on the puma was magical. It started to its feet. The fierce light faded from its eyes, and was replaced with a look of pleasure and benevolence. Then it commenced to purr.
“Polulu!” murmured Bomba. “Polulu! It is Bomba speaking—Bomba, your friend.”
The purring grew louder, and the great beast came and rubbed itself against the wall.
Bomba hesitated no longer. He forced his body through the crevice without the slightest trepidation, though with some difficulty, for already the puma was rubbing his head against him, fawning upon him like a cat, and trying to lick his hand.
“Polulu. Polulu,” murmured Bomba, as he caressed the great head fondly. “Why did I not know it was you? I would not have hidden from you. You have given Bomba a great fright.”
Polulu purred still more loudly and rubbed his head so hard against Bomba as to almost knock him over. Then the beast lay down and rolled over and over to testify his joy at the meeting.
For the last two years a warm affection had existed between the two. It had taken birth at the time the big puma had been caught by a falling tree that had imprisoned and broken one of its hind legs.