Notwithstanding these thoughts which passed through Dick’s mind, he did not feel inclined just then to set out in search of Lord Reginald. After thinking over what he would say to him if they met, satisfied with his good intentions, he fell asleep.
Chapter Thirteen.
Seeking food—Disappointed—Shaping a bow—Reduced to extremity—Poor Nep in disgrace—Fever—How Dick fared—The crossbow bolt—A curing-house—Neptune’s appeal for help—Dick turns nurse—All but lost—A change of quarters—Lord Reginald’s delirium—Finding juicy fruit—The recognition.
Lord Reginald awoke with aching head and confused brain. For some time he lay unable to collect his scattered thoughts. At length he remembered how he had been engaged on the previous evening. He saw the bow he was trying to form, by his side, and Neptune lying down at his feet, keeping watch. As soon as the dog observed that his master was awake, he got up and licked his hands and face, trying to arouse him.
“I see you want food; so do I,” said Lord Reginald, sitting up. “When I have finished the bow we shall have plenty. In the mean time, we must get a supply of those eggs we found the other day.” He tried, as he spoke, to rise. With some exertion he got on his feet, but felt scarcely able to walk. Taking his stick, however, he managed to totter out of the cave. The fresh air of the early morning somewhat revived him, and, followed by Neptune, he made his way towards the curious mound in which he had found the eggs. He felt very giddy, and could scarcely drag his legs along. The necessity of obtaining food, however, compelled him to proceed. Nep kept by his side, looking up into his face, and wondering why he didn’t move faster. He had great difficulty in climbing to the top of the mound, and nearly sank down in the attempt. At length he succeeded, when Nep ran forward and began scratching away as he had done before. Lord Reginald, sinking to the ground, watched him. “It appears to me as if some one has visited the place since I was last here,” he thought.
Nep continued scratching away, but no eggs appeared. As Nep at length enlarged the hole, three eggs were disclosed to sight. Lord Reginald broke one of them, and cast it from him with disgust, for it contained a nearly formed bird. Nep, not being so particular as his master, supposing it was intended for him, without ceremony at once gobbled it up. The second and the third egg were in the same condition. Nep took them also as his share, and afterwards went on scratching away, apparently hoping to find more. Lord Reginald was too weak to help him.
“That fellow Hargrave has been here, and carried off all the sound eggs, leaving only these few for the sake of tantalising me,” he exclaimed in a bitter tone.
After Neptune had scratched over the whole top of the mound, Lord Reginald, finding that he had no chance of obtaining any eggs from it, made his way with tottering steps towards the fountain, at which he and Neptune, as usual, quenched their thirst. It seemed to him, that he could never drink enough to allay the burning fever which raged within him. Neptune ranged about, and showed a great inclination to set off in the direction of Richard Hargrave’s hut, but Lord Reginald called him back, jealous of the regard he paid to his rival.