ere
still intently watching the birds, when they were aroused by the voice
of the doctor, which had also the effect of startling the beautiful
creatures. Away flew the birds, the doctor, however, catching a glimpse
of them.

"Oh, what a pity you did not come sooner!" exclaimed Alice.

"Had I done so, I should have deprived you of the pleasure of watching
the birds," answered Mr Lawrie. "From the glimpse I caught of them, I
have no doubt that they are birds of paradise, which, I have heard,
inhabit New Guinea and the surrounding islands. I have seen some dead
specimens, but of course they can give but a very inadequate idea of the
birds when living, which I believe are the most beautiful of the whole
feathered tribe."

The doctor's arrival was most opportune, for Walter and Alice had
remained so long looking at the birds, that they had forgotten the
direction to take, and would very probably have lost their way.
Conducted by the surgeon, they reached a spot where a bright, sparkling
stream fell over a high rock, forming a small cascade, into a pool of
clear water about three feet deep. A ledge enabled them to reach the
cascade, where they could drink the water as it fell. How cool and
refreshing it tasted! They all felt wonderfully invigorated; and the
doctor owned that, under their circumstances, no tonic medicine he could
have given them would have a more beneficial effect. The rock extended
some way down on the opposite side of the stream, and the path they had
pursued appeared to be the only one by which the pool could be
approached.

"What a delightful place for a bath!" said Alice, looking at it with a
longing eye.

"You shall have it all to yourself," answered Walter; "but let me sound
it with my stick first. It may be deeper than we suppose."

Walter, as he suggested, went round the pool, plunging in his stick. It
was fortunate he did so, for the upper side, into which the cascade
fell, was, he found, much out of Alice's depth. He charged her,
therefore, to keep on the lower side, where the water was less deep. He
was satisfied, too, that no creature lurked within, for the bottom was
everywhere visible, though, from the clearness of the water, it was
difficult to judge the depth by the eye.

"It's a mercy that you thought of trying the depth," said Alice; "for I
intended to have gone under the cascade and enjoyed a shower-bath."

Leaving Alice to bathe in the retired pool, the doctor and Walt