Page:Dick Sands the Boy Captain.djvu/253

 A TERRIBLE DISCOVERY. 2^^ countenance, and inquired what they were saying to. Dîngo. " Oh, nothîng much," replîed Tom ; " we were only asking hîm for news of a lost acquaintance." "Ah, I suppose you mean that Portuguese cook of yours." behaviour, that Negoro must be somewhere close at hand." perhaps the poor wretch îs in distress." îs quîte capable of takîng care of hîmself." wîth an aîr of indifférence. Dick tumed away; he contînued his endeavours to pacify Dingo, and the conversation dropped. The other thing that had arrested Dick's attention was the behaviour of the horse. If they had been as near the hacienda as Harris described, would not the animal hâve prîcked up its ears, sniffed the aîr, and wîth dîlated nostrîl, exhibited some sign of satisfaction, as being upon famiiiar ground ? But nothing of the kind was to be observed ; the horse plodded along as unconcernedly as if a stable were as far away as ever. Even Mrs. Weldon was not so engrossed wîth her chîld, but what she was fain to express her wonder at the deserted aspect of the country. No trace of a farm-labourer was anywhere to be seen I She cast hereye at Harris, who was in his usual place in front, and observing how he was look- îng first to the left, and then to the right, with the aîr of a man who was uncertain of his path, she asked herself whether it was possible their guide might hâve lost his way. She dared not entertain the idea, and averted her eyes, that she might not be harassed by his movements. After Crossing an open plain about a mile in width, the travellers once again entered the forest, which resumed something of the same denseness that had characterized it farther to the west. In the course of the afternoon, they
 * Yes," answered Tom ; " we fancîed from Dîngo's
 * Why don't you send and search the underwood ?
 * No need of that, Mr. Harrîs ; Negoro, I hâve no doubt,
 * Well, just as you please, my young friend," saîd Harrîs,