r Wilson," said a fresh voice, that of a
bright-looking lad of sixteen, as he rose up in the long boat lying by
the bamboo-made wharf at Dindong, the little trading port at the mouth
of the Salan River, on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula.

"Trust you for the fish-hooks, squire," said the first speaker. "But, I
say, take a good look round, Murray. It's an awful fix to be in to find
yourself right up in the wilderness with the very thing you want most
left behind."

"It's very good of you, Wilson," said the gentleman addressed, a
broad-shouldered man of forty, tanned and freckled by the eastern sun,
and stooping low to avoid striking his head against the attap thatch
rigged up over the stern of the boat, and giving it the aspect of a
floating hut. "It's very good of you, but I think we have everything;
eh, Ned?"

"Yes, uncle; I can't think of anything else."

"Knives, medicine, sticking-plaster, brandy, boxes, spirit-can, lamp,
nets. Ah, I know, Ned: we've no needles and thread."

The lad laughed merrily, and took out a kind of pocket-book, which he
opened to display the above necessaries, with scissors and penknife as
well.

"Well done, Ned! I believe you have more brains than I have. I can't
think of anything else, Wilson. I only want your good wishes."

"Matches?" said the gentleman on the wharf.

"Plenty, and we have each a burning-glass."

"That's right, and now once more: take my advice."

Johnstone Murray, enthusiast over matters of natural history, shook his
head, and rather a stern look came into his eyes as his nephew watched
him eagerly.

"But, hang it, man! you can make excursions up and down the river from
Dindong, and up the little branches as well. Surely you can get all you
want from here, and not lose touch of civilisation."

"But we want to lose touch of civilisation, my dear fellow.--What do you
say, Ned? Shall we stop here?"

"No, no, uncle; let's go now."

"Why, you foolish boy!" cried the gentleman addressed as Wilson, "you do
not know what you are saying, or what risks you are going to run."

"Oh, uncle will be careful, sir."

"If he can," said the other, gruffly. "I believe you two think you are
going on quite a picnic, instead of what must be a dangerous
expedition."

"My dear Wilson," said the principal occupant of the boat, merrily, "you
shut yourself up so much in your bungalow, and lead such a serious
plodding life over your merchandise and cargoes, that y