It was the behavior of Dingo which, above all, attracted more especially the young man’s attention.

In fact the dog, which, during all this journey, had seemed to be following a scent, became quite different, and that almost suddenly.  Until then, his nose to the ground, generally smelling the herbs or the shrubs, he either kept quiet, or he made a sort of sad, barking noise, like an expression of grief or of regret.

Now, on this day, the barking of the singular animal became like bursts, sometimes furious, such as they formerly were when Negoro appeared on the deck of the “Pilgrim.”  A suspicion crossed suddenly Dick Sand’s mind, and it was confirmed by Tom, who said to him: 

“How very singular, Mr. Dick!  Dingo no longer smells the ground as he did yesterday!  His nose is in the air, he is agitated, his hair stands up!  One would think he scented in the distance——­”

“Negoro, is it not so?” replied Dick Sand, who seized the old black’s arm, and signed to him to speak in a low voice.

“Negoro, Mr. Dick!  May it not be that he has followed our steps?”

“Yes, Tom; and that at this moment even he may not be very far from us.”

“But why?” said Tom.

“Either Negoro does not know this country,” went on Dick Sand, “and then he would have every interest in not losing sight of us——­”

“Or?” said Tom, who anxiously regarded the novice.

“Or,” replied Dick Sand, “he does know it, and then he——­”

“But how should Negoro know this country?  He has never come here!”

“Has he never been here?” murmured Dick Sand.

“It is an incontestable fact that Dingo acts as if this man whom he detests were near us!”

Then, interrupting himself to call the dog, which, after some hesitation, came to him: 

“Eh!” said he; “Negoro!  Negoro!”

A furious barking was Dingo’s reply.  This name had its usual effect upon him, and he darted forward, as if Negoro had been hidden behind some thicket.

Harris had witnessed all this scene.  With his lips a little drawn, he approached the novice.

“What did you ask Dingo then?” said he.

“Oh, not much, Mr. Harris,” replied old Tom, jokingly.  “We asked him for news of the ship-companion whom we have lost!”

“Ah!” said the American, “the Portuguese, the ship’s cook of whom you have already spoken to me?”

“Yes.” replied Tom.  “One would say, to hear Dingo, that Negoro is in the vicinity.”

“How could he get as far as this?” replied Harris.

“He never was in this country that I know of; at least, he concealed it from us,” replied Tom.

“It would be astonishing,” said Harris.  “But, if you wish, we will beat these thickets.  It is possible that this poor devil has need of help; that he is in distress.”

“It is useless, Mr. Harris,” replied Dick Sand.  “If Negoro has known how to come as far as this, he will know how to go farther.  He is a man to keep out of trouble.”