nto the thick, low growth of bush and feathery grass, and it
was gone.

"Why, Rob," cried his leader, "how could you be so foolish as to go near
that savage beast?"

"But it isn't savage," said the lad eagerly; "it's as tame as any cat.
It must belong to some one near."

By this time Shaddy had heard the talking and risen, rather apologetic
for sleeping so long, and as soon as he had called up his men and sent
them ashore to see to the fire the case was laid before him.

"Nay, Master Rob," he said, "there's no one about here to tame lions.
It's a wild one sure enough. Dessay he never saw a man or boy before,
and he's a young one perhaps, and a bit kittenish. Wants to make
friends."

"Friends with a dangerous beast like that, man?" cried Brazier.
"Absurd!"

"Oh, they're not dangerous, sir; that is, not to man. I never heard of
a lion touching a man unless the man had shot at and hurt him. Then
they'll fight savagely for their lives. Dangerous to monkeys, or dogs,
or deer; but I'm not surprised at its taking to Master Rob here, and
don't see no call to fear."

"Well, of course your experience is greater than mine, Naylor," said
Brazier; "but I should have thought that at any moment the beast might
turn and rend him."

"No, sir; no, sir; no fear of that! I daresay the crittur would follow
him anywhere and be as friendly as a cat. The Indians never take any
notice of lions. It's the tigers they're a bit scared about. Lions
hate tigers too; and I've known 'em fight till they were both dying."

"Ah well, we need not discuss the matter, for the puma has gone."

"Thought you were going to shoot at it again, sir," said Rob in rather
an ill-used tone, for he was disappointed at the sudden interruption to
his friendly intercourse with the beautiful beast.

By this time Giovanni was out of the boat, and stared rather at the
account of the morning's adventure; but the announcement soon after that
the coffee was boiling changed the conversation, and for the time being
the puma was forgotten.

The great natural clearing at the edge of the lake and the opening out
of the river itself gave so much opportunity for Brazier to prosecute
his collecting that he at once decided upon staying in the
neighbourhood--certainly for that day, if not for one or two more, and
in consequence the fire was left smouldering, while the boat was forced
along close in shore, which was no easy task, on account of the dense
growth of l