? I? Was I? Would the monkey have bitten me?"

"Yes, if you had pulled his tail, and he wouldn't have let you. He
bitten you? No."

"Then," said Ned, flushing a little, and feeling indignant at the young
semi-savage's dictatorial speech, "why was I a jolly fool to go and
stand there, pray?"

"Hark at him!" said the lad, looking round as if he were addressing an
audience; "he says, Why was he a jolly fool? Oh, what a green one you
are!"

"Look here, sir," said Ned, shortly; "have the goodness to be a little
more respectful in your speech. I am not accustomed to be addressed in
that manner."

"Oh certainly, my lord," said the lad. "Salaam maharajah, salaam." And
raising his hands above his head, he bowed down almost to the ground.
"I didn't know you were such a grandee."

"Never mind what I am, sir, and have the goodness to keep your place."

"Yes, my lord. Salaam maha--"

"Stop!" cried Ned, angrily. "I don't want you to do that tomfoolery to
me."

The lad made a grimace, and meekly crossed his hands upon his breast.

"Now, sir, have the goodness to tell me why I was a jolly fool, and so
green, as you call it. Pity people can't teach you foreigners something
better than slang. Now then--answer."

"Well, to go and stand under that tree with a croc stalking you."

"Croc stalking you? What do you mean?"

"Don't you know the river's full of crocodiles?"

"I know there are some there."

"Some!" cried the lad. "Why, it's as full as a pond is of
sticklebacks."

Ned stared at these words, coming out of eastern lips.

"Why, when they krissed a fellow this morning, and tumbled him into the
river, Dilloo Dee says one of them snatched the body under directly. He
told me just now. Didn't you see that one coming at you?"

"I saw a big fish under the lotus-leaves."

"Big fisherman you mean. Poof!" cried the boy, bursting into a roar of
laughter, "it was a great croc, and I was just in time to knock you out
of the way. I thought he would have got you, he made such a rush."

"Did--did you see him?" said Ned, turning a little white.

"Only got a glimpse of his wet scales; but I knew he was there stalking
you, by that monkey scolding him. Oh my! how the little beggars do hate
a croc."

"Then--then, you saved my life, and I didn't know it," said Ned.

"Eh? Well, I s'pose I did, for if he had pulled you down, I don't
suppose we should ever have seen you again."

"Ugh!" shuddered Ned. "How h