ASHORE. 173 Negoro's conduct; but she did not agrée with him in his proposai to hâve hîm searched at once. If he retumed, she should be convinced that he had deposited the money in some secret spot; and as there would be no proof of his guilty it would be better to leave him, at least for a time, uninterrogated. Dick was convinced by her représentations, and promised to act upon her advice. Before they resigned themselves to sleep, they had re- peatedly summoned Negoro back, but he either could not or would not hear. Mrs. Weldon and Dick scarcely knew what to think; unless he had lost his way; it was unac- countable why he should be wandering about alone on a dark night in a strange country. Presently Dingo was heard barking furîously. He had left the opening of the grotto, and was evidently down at the water's edge. Imagîning that Negoro must be coming, Dick sent three of the negroes in the direction of the river to meet him; but when they reached the bank not a soûl could be seen, and as Dingo was quiet again, they made theîr way back to the grotto. Exceptîng the man left on watch, they now ail lay down, hoping to get some repose. Mrs. Weldon, however, could not sleep. The land for which she had sighed so ardently had been reached, but it had failed to give either the security or the comfort which she had anticipated!
