A STRANGER. 189 before, although its long neck and cnipper, short loins, Hat shoulders and arched forehead indicated that it was of Arabian breed.
- Plenty of strength hère/' Harrîs saîd, as after unfasten-
ing the horse, he took it by the bridle and began to lead it along the shore. Dîck made no reply ; he was castîng a hasty glance at the forest which enclosed them on either hand ; it was an unattractive sight, but he observed nothing to give him any particular ground for uneasiness. Tuming round, he saîd abruptly, — " Dîd you meet a Portuguese last nîght, named Negoro ?"
- Negoro ? who is Negoro ? " asked Harris, în a tone of
surprise.
- He was our ship*s cook ; but he has disappeared."
" Drownedy probably," said Harris indifferently.
- No, he was not drowned ; he was with us during the
evening, but left afterwards ; I thought perhaps you might hâve met him along the river-side, as you came that way." •* No,*' said Harris, " I saw no one ; if your cook ventured alone into the forest, most likely he has lost his way ; it is possible we may pick him up upon our road." Whcn they arrived at the grotto, they found breakfast duly prepared. Like the supper of the prevîous evening it consisted mainly of corned beef and biscuit. Harris did ample justice to the repast " There is no fear of our starving as we go," he observed to Mrs. Weldon ; " but I can hardly say so much for the unfortunate Portuguese, your cook, of whom my young friend hère has been speaking." " Ah ! has Dick been telling you about Negoro ? " Mrs. Weldon said. Dick explained that he had been inquiring whether Mr. Harris had happened to meet him in the direction he had come. " I saw nothing of him," Harris repeated ; " and as he has deserted you, you need not give yourselves any concem about him." And apparently glad to turn the subject, he
