looked upon as
dainty bits, and a broad smile came over his countenance. Then he
looked annoyed and disappointed, and as if jealous of the favour shown
to the beast.

The result was that he left the spot where he had been lying half-way
between us and the carriers, went to the stream, where he lay flat down
with his lips in the water, and drank, and then came quietly up to my
side, where he squatted down in as near an imitation of Gyp as he could
assume, pouting out his lips and nose and waiting for a bone.

The doctor burst out laughing, while I could not tell whether to set it
down to artfulness or to simple animal nature on the poor fellow's part.

However, I was too English at heart to lower my follower, so I did not
treat him like a dog, but hacked off a good bone and sent him to his
place.

We thoroughly enjoyed our meal, and, as the doctor said, somewhat
lightened our loads, when all at once it seemed to me that a spasm ran
through Jack Penny where he lay. Then, as I watched him, I saw his hand
stealing towards his gun, and he looked at me and pointed towards where
a dense patch of big trees formed a sort of buttress to the great green
wall of the forest.

For a few moments I could see nothing; then I started, and my hand also
went towards my piece, for peering round the trunk of one of the trees,
and evidently watching us, was one of the most hideous-looking faces I
had ever seen. The eyes were bright and overhung by dark wrinkled
brows, and, seen in the half light, the head seemed as large as that of
a man. In fact I was convinced that it was some fierce savage playing
the spy upon our actions.

I felt better when I had fast hold of my gun--not that I meant to fire,
only to protect myself--and I was reaching out a foot to awaken the
doctor, who had thrown himself back with his hat over his face, when I
found that Gyp had caught sight of the hideous countenance, and, with a
fierce bay, he dashed at the creature.

Jack Penny and I started to our feet, Jimmy went after the dog, waddy in
hand, and his yell awakened the doctor, who also sprang to his feet just
in time to see the creature leap up at a pendent branch, swing itself up
in the tree, and disappear amongst the thick leafage, while Gyp barked
furiously below.

"Big monkey that, my lads," said the doctor. "I did not know we should
see anything so large."

Jack Penny was all eagerness to follow and get a shot at the animal; but
though he loo