“It would be too bad if Dick dunh fell into dat lion’s clutches,” put in Aleck.  “I reckon de lion would chaw him up in no time.”

“Go back and call Cujo,” said Tom.  “He may be able to track my brother’s footsteps.”

At once Aleck loped off.  While he was gone Tom told Dick Chester much concerning himself, and the college student related several facts in connection with the party to which he belonged.

“There are six of us students,” he said.  “We were going to have a professor from Yale with us, but he got sick at the last moment and we hired Josiah Crabtree.  I wish we hadn’t done it now, for he has proved more of a hindrance than a help, and his real knowledge of fauna and flora could be put in a peanut shell, with room to spare.”

“He’s a big brag,” answered Tom.  “Take my advice and never trust him too far — or you may be sorry for it.”

Presently Aleck came back, with Cujo following.  The brawny African began at once to examine the footprints along the lake shore.

“Him been here,” he said.  “Him came up dis way.  But him no walk away.”

“Didn’t walk away!” ejaculated Tom.

“No.  Udder footprints walk away, but not um Massah Dick.”

“I don’t understand, Cujo.  Do you think he —­ fell into the lake?”

“Perhaps, Massah Tom — or maybe he get into boat.”

Tom shook his head.  “I don’t know of any boats around here —­ do you?” he asked of Dick Chester.

“No,” returned the young man from Yale.  “But the natives living in the vicinity may have them.”

“Perhaps a native dun carry him off,” said Aleck.  “He must be sumwhar, dat am certain.”

“Yes, he must be somewhere,” repeated Tom sadly.

By this time Sam and Randolph Rover were coming up, and also one of Dick Chester’s friends.  The college students were introduced to the others by Tom, and then a general hunt began for Dick, which lasted until the shades of night had fallen.  But poor Dick was not found, and all wondered greatly what had, become of him.

Tom and the others retired at ten o’clock.  But not to sleep, for with Dick missing none of the Rovers could close an eye.  “We must find him in the morning,” said Sam.  “We simply must!” And the others agreed with him.

CHAPTER XXV

DICK AND THE LION

When poor Dick came to his senses he was lying in a heap on the decayed leaves at the bottom of the hollow between the rocks.  The stuff Josiah Crabtree had thrown down still lay on top, of him, and it was a wonder that he had not been smothered.

“Where in the world am I?” was the first thought which crossed his confused mind.  He tried to sit up, but found this impossible until he had scattered the dead leaves and tree branches.  Even then he was so bewildered that he hardly knew what to do, excepting to stare around at his strange surroundings.  Slowly the truth dawned upon him —­ how Josiah Crabtree had struck him down on the lake shore.