That afternoon fever set in, and for the two next days Frank was
delirious. When he recovered consciousness he found Mr. Goodenough
sitting beside him. The latter would not suffer him to talk, but
gave him a strong dose of quinine and told him to lie quiet and go
to sleep.
It was not till the next day that Frank learned what had happened
in his absence. The Houssa had not returned until long after
nightfall. He reported that Frank had told him to wait with the
guns, and that he had waited until it grew nearly dark. Then he
had fired several times and had walked about, firing his gun at
intervals. Obtaining no responses he had made his way back to the
camp, where his arrival alone caused great consternation.
It was impossible to do anything that night, and the next morning
Mr. Goodenough, accompanied by five of the Houssas, one only
remaining to keep guard over the camp, had gone to the place where
Frank had last been seen. Then they scattered in various directions,
shouting and firing their guns. The search had been continued all
day without success, and at nightfall, disheartened and worn out,
they had returned to the camp. The next day the search had been
continued with an equal want of success, and the fears that a leopard
had attacked and killed Frank became stronger and stronger.
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