the pieces of meat which he gave him.

The dog, though he had had a good meal, did not seem content, but
evidently wished to convey some intelligence to his entertainer. He
first ran off in the direction of the cave, and then seeing that Dick
did not follow, came back and uttered a low bark; then away again he
went, almost immediately to return, when he seized Dick by the trousers,
evidently wishing him to accompany him, and then looked up at him in an
imploring manner, which could not be misunderstood.

"I suppose Lord Reginald is ill, or has met with some accident, and the
dog wants me to go and help him. Well, I ought to do it, there's no
doubt about that," said Dick, moving a few paces in the direction the
dog had taken. On this Nep uttered a bark indicative of his
satisfaction, coming back and licking Dick's hand, then running on
again. Dick had no longer any doubt that Nep was anxious to take him to
his master, and he set off at a rapid rate, while Nep bounded away
before him, uttering the same sort of bark as before, to hurry him on.

"The poor fellow may be dying," thought Dick, his kindly feelings
overcoming all sense of the injuries he had received. "The sooner I get
to him the better, or I may be too late to render him any help."

On this, greatly to Nep's delight, he began to run as fast as he could,
leaping over the fallen trees, allowing no impediment to stop him. He
stopped for a moment to pick some juicy fruit resembling limes, which
grew on a tree in his path, on which Nep came back and gave another pull
at his trousers, as if fearing that he was going to stop. On passing
the fountain he found a large clam-shell, which had evidently been left
there by some one. He expected every moment to find Lord Reginald
stretched on the ground, dead or dying, but Nep still kept on until he
reached the sea-shore. He then saw the dog enter the cavern. At first
he felt unwilling to follow, but Nep quickly rushed out again, and once
more seizing his trousers, pulled away until Dick showed that he
understood him. On going in he perceived in the dim light the
unfortunate young nobleman extended on the sand, in a stupor so nearly
resembling death that he started back in horror, fully believing that
his spirit had already fled.

Fearful, indeed, had been the effect of the fever. The expression of
his handsome features was changed, his countenance had assumed the hue
of death. His eyes, half closed and fixed