He could not see the river on account of the thick growth, but it
sounded very cool and pleasant; and now, having won his way thus far, he
longed for the plunge and swim down to the steamer.

He reckoned that a minute's law would place him beyond the reach of
spears, however ably thrown; and as to the enemy's rifles or muskets, he
did not think they would be able to hit him as he swam with the rapid
stream. Still he did not move, for he was so heated by his exertions
that he dreaded risking cramp or shock from the sudden immersion.

Everything was so still in the hot afternoon sunshine, that the whirring
noise of the insects seemed quite loud. Beautiful blue-billed gapers,
all claret and black and white, flitted about, catching glossy
metallic-looking beetles; little green chatterers, with their crested
heads, flew from spray to spray; and tiny sun-birds, in their gorgeous
mail of gold and bronze and purple, flew from flower to flower in search
of honey. Now and then a scaly glistening lizard rustled by him, and
twice over a snake crawled right across his body and away into the
grass. Then a flock of the little lovebird paroquets came and settled
in a tree hard by, piping, whistling, and chattering as they climbed and
swung head downwards, or flew here and there; while upon some bushes
close at hand sat a pair of the lovely rose-breasted trogons, with their
grey reticulated wings and beautiful cinnamon backs.

It was a glorious scene for a lover of nature, so delicate were the many
tints of green, so pure the sky above; while to add to the beauty of the
place a flock of rose-tinted doves settled in the palms, and cooed as
mellowly as if this were in some park in the young soldier's far-off
home.

So lovely was everything around that Gray closed his eyes, and was ready
to ask himself whether the idea of danger was not all a dream, and that
it was but fancy, to suppose that bloodthirsty men were swarming in the
island, ready to slaughter the inhabitants to a man.

The sharp crack of a rifle, and then of half a dozen more, dissipated
the dream, and with a sigh as he thought of the danger of those at the
station, Gray unclosed his eyes, rose to his hands and knees from where
he had been lying, and began to force his way softly amidst the canes.

It was no easy task till he came to a track, evidently that made by a
crocodile in coming and going from the river. He paused for a moment,
shuddering as he thought of