"Don't let's be seen talking together," she said swiftly. "It's
nothing much, only I think maybe he will steal away to the tepees
to-night to tell them what to say to us. If he does I'll follow and
listen."
Jack looked his admiration. "Good for you!" he said.
The invariable routine of camping was gone through with, the horses
unpacked and turned out, the little tents pitched, the supper cooked
and eaten. Jack pitched his own little lean-to, because lying within
it he could still see all that passed outside. After eating they sat
around the fire for a while, and Jack sang some songs, that Jean Paul
might not get the idea they were unduly on the alert. The half-breed
complimented Jack on his singing.
Afterward Jack lay within his shelter, one arm over his face, while he
watched from beneath it. When it became dark he saw Jean Paul issue
boldly out of his tent and move around as if inviting a challenge.
None being forthcoming, he went back. A moment later Jack saw a shadow
issue from behind the little A-tent, and steal away into the bushes.
He waited a minute or two, and got up. He met Mary outside. "I'm
going too," he announced.
"It will double the risk," she objected. "There's no need. Nothing
can happen to me."
"You're wasting time," he said. "I'm going."
Arousing Davy, and putting him on watch, they set off on the trail.
Crossing the stream, they plunged anew into the fragrant forest of old
pines. It was a close, still night; the sky was heavily overcast, and
it became very dark for that latitude. The trail stretched ahead like
a pale ribbon vanishing into the murk at half a dozen paces. In the
thicker places they had literally to feel for it with their feet. They
had not very far to go. After about fifteen minutes' walking the
stillness was suddenly shattered by a chorus of barking from a few
hundred yards ahead.
"That will be Jean Paul getting into camp," Mary said.
The forest ended abruptly, and they found themselves at the edge of a
natural meadow reaching down to the Darwin River. Below them was a
quadrangle of tepees, faintly luminous from the little fires within, as
if rubbed with phosphorous. The dogs were still barking fitfully.
"Wait for me here," Mary commanded.