way Walston would have to go to Schooner Bay before coming up the valley of Zealand River, and that would have taken too much time. Besides, after Forbes' s answer that they had come down the shore of the lake, and knew nothing of the western district, Evans had no fear of an attack in the rear.
The boys advanced cautiously along the base of Auckland Hill. Beyond the enclosure the underwood and groups of trees enabled them to reach the forest without exposing themselves too much.
Evans went in front — after having to repress the ardour of Donagan, who always wanted to be first. When they had passed the little mound where reposed the remains of the Frenchman, they struck off so as to reach the shore of the lake.
Fan, whom Gordon did his utmost to hold back, seemed to be searching for something, cocked her ears, sniffed with her nose on the ground, and had apparently struck a trail.
"Wait!" said Briant.
"Yes," said Gordon. "It is a man's trail. Look at the dog's behaviour."
"Slip along under the bushes," said Evans; "and you, Donagan, who are such a good shot, if you get one of the beggars within range, don't miss him."
A few seconds afterwards they had reached the first group of trees. There, just on the skirt of the forest, were the traces of a recent camp — twigs half burnt, ashes still warm.
"Here's where Walston passed last night," said Gordon.
"And perhaps he was here a short time ago. I think we had better get back," said Evans.
He had hardly finished when there was the report of a gun to the right of him. A bullet pinged past Briant's ear and lodged in a tree. Almost immediately there was another report, followed by a cry of agony not fifty yards away, and something fell heavily among the bushes.
Donagan had fired as soon as he saw the smoke from the first gun.
