iends, we
met with an adventure in which the serious and the comic were strangely
mingled. Feeling somewhat fatigued after a long spell at our paddles,
and being anxious to procure a monkey or a deer, as we had run short of
food, we put ashore, and made our encampment on the banks of the river.
This done, we each sallied out in different directions, leaving
Makarooroo in charge of the camp.

For some time I wandered about the woods in quest of game, but although
I fired at many animals that were good for food, I missed them all, and
was unwillingly compelled to return empty-handed. On my way back, and
while yet several miles distant from the camp, I met Jack, who had
several fat birds of the grouse species hanging at his girdle.

"I am glad to see that you have been more successful than I, Jack," said
I, as we met.

"Yet I have not much to boast of," he replied. "It is to be hoped that
Peterkin has had better luck. Have you seen him?"

"No; I have not even heard him fire a shot."

"Well, let us go on. Doubtless he will make his appearance in good
time. What say you to following the course of this brook? I have no
doubt it will guide us to the vicinity of our camp, and the ground
immediately to the left of it seems pretty clear of jungle."

"Agreed," said I; and for the next ten minutes or so we walked beside
each other in silence. Suddenly our footsteps were arrested by a low
peculiar noise.

"Hark! is that a human voice?" whispered Jack, as he cocked his rifle.

"It sounds like it," said I.

At the same moment we heard some branches in an opposite direction
crack, as if they had been broken by a heavy tread. Immediately after,
the first sound became louder and more distinct. Jack looked at me in
surprise, and gradually a peculiar smile overspread his face.

"It's Peterkin," said I, in a low whisper.

My companion nodded, and half-cocking our pieces, we advanced with slow
and cautious steps towards the spot whence the sound had come. The
gurgling noise of the brook prevented us from hearing as well as usual,
so it was not until we were close upon the bushes that fringed the banks
of the streamlet that we clearly discerned the tones of Peterkin's voice
in conversation with some one, who, however, seemed to make no reply to
his remarks. At first I thought he must be talking to himself, but in
this I was mistaken.

"Let's listen for a minute or two," whispered my companion, with a broad
grin.