le had said with such certainty that there were neither inhabitants
nor wild beasts, there was plenty of room for either to hide away in
these forests; and besides, should there be no regular inhabitants, some
might have come by canoe from one or other of the islands. And, yes, I
was sure of it, they must have seen our fire, and were creeping up to
kill us where we lay.

This was a very pretty theory; but would not they make some noise as
they came, and if so, where was that noise?

I lay perfectly still with the perspiration oozing out of me and my
horror increasing, but still there was no noise.

Yes, there was--a low rustling sound as of some one creeping through the
bushes towards us. There could be no mistaking that sound, it was just
the same as I had been hearing all the afternoon as we crept cautiously
on in search of the birds of paradise.

I listened and tried to pierce the darkness with my eyes, but only just
about the embers of the fire was anything visible, where the tree trunks
stood all like sentries.

Then the noise ceased and I was ready to believe that I had made a
mistake. No, there it was again, and certainly much nearer.

Should I wake Uncle Dick, or should I try to be brave enough to deal
with the danger myself?

I was horribly frightened and sadly wanted him to give me his help and
counsel; but as I was not sure, in spite of my feelings, that there
really was danger, I fought hard with my cowardice and determined to act
as seemed best.

Cautiously reaching out my hand I took hold of my gun, and by pressing
my finger on each trigger in turn, I cocked it silently, and raising
myself on one elbow waited for the danger to come.

The sounds stopped several times, but were always resumed, and the more
I listened the more certain I felt that some big animal was creeping up
with great caution towards the fire, though I felt that that animal
might be a man.

I would have given anything to have been able to sit up in an easier
position; but I could only have done so by making a noise and perhaps
waking Uncle Dick for nothing. So I remained as I was, watching with
eyes and ears upon the strain, the barrel of my gun towards the opening
in our leafy shed and well covering the fire; and so minute after minute
went by, with the sensation more and more strongly upon me of the near
presence of some creature, one which I each moment expected to see cross
the faint glow of the fire.

Then all was s