e
done better for natural history if we could have gone where we liked."

"I am sure you couldn't."

"Ladies quite well--Mrs Braine and the Barnes's and Greigs?"

"Yes; but complaining that you do not visit us all more often."

"Very good of them, but I must get on with my work."

"And I with mine."

"Oh, don't hurry away. Stop and smoke a cigar. How's that boy of
yours?"

"Quite well, thank you, Mr Murray."

They looked up sharply, and there was Frank standing in the veranda
looking in.

"Hullo! busy, Ned?"

"Yes. Two more birds to do."

"Oh, what a bother! I want you particularly. I say, Mr Murray, why
don't you let Amy Barnes skin these little tiny sun-birds? It wants
some one with pretty little fingers like hers."

"Because, sir, it is not fit work for a lady," replied Murray, shortly.

"Ha, ha! what a game! Why, she asked me to get her a few, and I set
that one-eyed chap to knock some down with a sumpitan--you know, Ned, a
blowpipe, and she has had six these last three days, and skinned them
all beautifully. She gave me one to show me how well she could do it.
Here, where did I stick the thing?"

He began searching his pockets, and ended by dragging out a rough tuft
of glistening metallic feathers, at which he looked down with a comical
expression of countenance.

"A delightful specimen," said Murray, grimly.

"Yes, now. But it was beautiful when she showed it to me. I oughtn't
to have put it in my pocket, I suppose. But, I say, Mr Murray, can't
you spare Ned?"

"What do you want him for, Frank?" said his father.

"To try for that big croc that hangs about the river half-way between
here and the stockade. He has just taken another poor girl, father."

"What!" cried Mr Braine, with a look of horror.

"I only just heard of it. She was reaching over to pick lotus-leaves
close by, where you were so nearly caught, Ned."

"Eh?" cried Murray, looking up sharply. "Oh yes, I remember, and you
are thinking of trying to shoot this monster?"

"No; going to catch him," said Frank.

"You two boys?"

"They will have some of the men to help them," said Mr Braine. "The
brute ought to be destroyed."

"Why don't your rajah do it?"

"Because he does nothing that does not tend toward his pleasure or
prosperity," replied Mr Braine, bitterly. "Have you made any
preparations, Frank?"

"Yes, father; we're all ready. Only waiting for Ned."

He gave the latter a merry look as he spoke.