“I was sorry about that baboon,” Pant went on after a moment. “I never like to hurt any living creature. But what else could I do?”
“N—nothing,” Johnny shook himself. Had he been listening to a fairy story or a real adventure?
“We waited an hour, that girl and I,” Pant continued in a matter-of-fact tone. “After that we crept out into the bright sunlight. We looked about. There was no one to be seen, not even a baboon. You better believe me we got out of there quick.
“Well—” Pant stretched his long legs, “I found that river again. Then I knew where I was.”
“She had no idea where we were. And I feel quite sure—” Pant paused to consider, “yes, I’m certain she had no idea what I was up to. She followed me as she might have followed that big man with a hooked nose, had he given her the chance, followed because there was nothing else to do.
“I kept getting more and more signs. A fallen tree, a particular cluster of hanging vines I’d noticed before, a tumble-down native hut, all these told me I was on the right track.
“Just a little before sunset, I came to a spot I was sure of. It was not a hundred yards from that clearing, the picture clearing, you know.”
“Yes, the pasture, the cattle, the gem of a cottage,” Johnny supplemented.
“And the girl lost out of it,” Pant broke in. “I was going to put her back into the picture. I DID put her back,” there was a note of triumph in Pant’s voice. “I stopped dead in my tracks, pushed the girl on before me, then pointed straight ahead.
“At first she did not seem to understand, just stood there staring. In the end, I’m sure she only half understood, for she seemed to go reluctantly.
“I watched her until she was ready to part the branches that were to give her a glimpse of home, then I ducked.
“I can hide, Johnny, hide anywhere, always could. It’s a gift. I wasn’t a minute too soon, for I was scarcely under cover when she let out a scream.”
“Sure! One wild scream of pure joy. She had seen her home. Probably up to that moment, she had never hoped to see it again. Who wouldn’t scream?
“Then,” Pant indulged in a broad grin, “what do you suppose she did after that?”
“Went down through the jungle like a scared rabbit,” suggested Johnny.
“No. You’re wrong,” Pant heaved a sigh. “She stood there for a moment. Then she turned and started back. Looking for me—wouldn’t you say?”