on," he replied. "I went on hollering, but them chaps at the
camp were asleep, and I began to feel that I should have to let go soon;
only I wouldn't, because I wanted to find out first what had become of
the professor. Then at last you came, and that's all; only I don't feel
much like walking very far to-day, so I shall sit still and fish."

"Fish! what, with things like that in the water?" I exclaimed.

"Oh! they won't hurt me," said Jack; "because I shall be on the look-out
now, and won't go in after the next fish that takes my line. I say,
where's Gyp?"

"I don't know," I said. "I have not seen him."

"Crocodiles are very fond of dogs," said Jack quietly. "I hope one of
'em hasn't got Gyp."

"Oh, no! he'd be too sharp for one of the reptiles," said the doctor
reassuringly.

"I don't know," said Jack in his quiet drawl. "I thought I was much too
clever for crocodiles; but they're sharp--precious sharp about the
teeth. Perhaps he's gone hunting something. He often used at home."

"Oh, yes; he'll come back," I said.

"Well, we shall see," said Jack. "I'm better now. Lend me another
line, Joe Carstairs. I want to see if I can't catch a fish."

I looked about first to see if I could trace my line, but it was
hopelessly gone. To my surprise and pleasure, though, I found the
doctor's where he had left it, tied to a root and drawn out tight,
evidently with a fish at the end.

I imagined that I could easily draw this out, and I did get it close up
to the bank, but as soon as it was in the shallow water it sprang right
out and darted away again, making the line rush through my hands so
rapidly that it burned my skin.

As it leaped out I had a good opportunity of seeing that a great silvery
fellow, fully a yard long, had hooked itself, and meant to have some
playing before it turned over upon its side in token of submission.

I kept on playing the fish, which seemed to grow stronger instead of
weaker as I went on at give and take with it, till I was almost tired.
At least six times did I draw it in and try to bring it within reach of
Ti-hi's fingers, but in vain, for it always darted off as if refreshed.

At last, though, I drew it well in, and once more it was about to repeat
its tactics; but this time it was too late, for the black pounced down
upon it, thrust his hooked finger into its gills, and pulled it up on to
the bank.

Just then Jimmy came trotting up, hauling away at a line, and to my