er of the swift
river, was so tempting that we did not go so far as we had intended.

Here a fire was soon lit, and Jimmy sat watching the roasting of the
buck with an indescribable look of satisfaction in his countenance;
while, eager to try whether it would be possible to add to our provision
store at any time from the river, I went on down to the water's edge.
For if there were fish in such abundance in the lagoon, I felt sure that
if they would bite there must be plenty in the stream.

My first idea had been to have a bathe in the cool-looking water, but,
seeing my intention, the black who had been my companion in the watch,
took my hand, led me cautiously along for a short distance, and then
pointed to where there was lying, dimly outlined in the thickened water,
one of the hideous creatures such as I had seen in the lagoon.

The black then put his wrists together, spread wide his hands, and
closed them sharply upon my arm like a pair of jaws, and snatched me
sidewise with a good tug.

I was quite satisfied, and nodding and shuddering I joined the doctor,
who was ready enough to help me fish.

We soon had our lines ready, and baiting the hooks with pieces of raw
meat, we threw out and waited, after the manner of fishermen at home,
for a bite.

After a time I examined my bait and threw in again. Then the doctor
examined his and threw in again, but neither of us had the slightest
touch, and growing weary we went back to the fire to find the buck
sufficiently roasted and Jimmy's eyes standing out of his head with
hunger; so we made a hasty meal, left the blacks to finish it, and Jack
Penny to rest his long body, while we had another try at the fishing.

But Jack Penny did not care to rest when anything was going on, and
after we had been fishing without result for about half an hour he
joined us.

"Caught anything?" he said; and on our replying in the negative, "Here,
let me try," he said.

I handed him my line, and he twisted it well round his hand.

"Fish run big, sometimes," he said, nodding his head sagaciously.
"Don't leave your line like that, doctor," he added; "make it fast to
that bough."

The doctor obeyed, and leaving Jack looking very drowsy and dreamy we
two took our guns and started along the river bank, thinking that
perhaps we might find something useful for the larder, the heat of the
climate rendering it necessary for a supply to be obtained from day to
day.

It was a glorious walk p