," I reflected. "I ought not to have let him
take the lead."

Just then, however, my heart seemed to give a great jump; for without a
sound the black was alongside again, touching my leg, and then gliding
up till his lips were level with my ear.

"Boss Val 'sleep--um?"

"Asleep!" I whispered back indignantly. "No."

"Um!" he whispered. "Joeboy been very long way. No wagon there. Now
go this way."

"No, no!" I whispered back. "You must stay with me, or we must go
together, Joeboy!"

There was no reply, and in alarm I stretched out my left hand to seize
hold of him; but he had gone. I half-fancied I heard a faint rustle
some distance off as of a great serpent gliding across in front of my
head; but I dared not raise my voice to stop him. Now I realised that
he must have glided away from me the moment he had uttered the words
"this way;" and again I had to go through all that agony of expectation
and dread. Still, I began to feel a little more confidence in Joeboy,
and for the next half-hour I waited anxiously, hoping against hope, till
I was in despair and half-mad.

I was just at my worst again, and picturing the looks of Denham, and his
disappointment if I managed to get anywhere near where he was on the
lookout for us, when I jumped violently, quite startled, for Joeboy
seemed to rise out of the black earth on my light.

"Um?" he said softly. "Joeboy getting tired. Couldn't find wagon."

"Then it's all over?" I whispered, my heart sinking with despair.

"Um? Couldn't find at first," he said. "Joeboy went behind um. All
out before Doppies."

"Then you did find them?" I whispered joyfully.

"Um? Yes, Joeboy find um. Went long way and then come back."

"But how did you manage to find them in the dark?"

"Um? Smell um," he said quietly. "Now, wait bit. Boss Val know what
to say?"

"Oh yes, I know," I said.

"Get up," he whispered. "No Doppie here."

I was startled by his words, but I obeyed; and as soon as I was erect I
felt his hands about me, feeling whether my rifle was slung across my
shoulder, my bandolier in place, and my revolvers ready. Apparently
satisfied, he gave a grunt, and taking my hand, he whispered again:

"No Doppie here. Over this way and that way."

I yielded to his guidance, with my heart throbbing heavily now; but the
feeling of excitement returned as I began to act, and in a few minutes I
found that something big and dark had loomed up in front, which