a deer just come down for a drink of fresh-water, ready to be shot
and keep us in food for days."

"Yes, I can see it now," said Rob eagerly. "What a beautiful creature!"

"Yes, beautiful meat that we can cut up in strips and dry in the sun, so
as to have a little supply in hand."

"But it seems--" began Rob.

"It's necessary, lad, and it's a chance. Sit down, rest your piece on
the gunwale, and aim straight with your left barrel at the centre of its
head. If you miss that you're sure to send the bullet through its
shoulder and bring it down."

Feeling a great deal of compunction, Rob sank into the position advised,
cocked his piece, and took careful aim.

"Make sure of him, my lad," whispered Shaddy. "It's a fine bit o'
practice for you. Now then, hold the butt tight to your shoulder and
pull the trigger gently; squeeze it more than pull. Covered him?"

"Yes."

"Then fire."

_Bang! bang_! Two shots in rapid succession, and the deer was gone, but
a monkey unseen till then dropped head over heels into the water from
one of the trees over the trembling deer, scared from its hold by the
loud reports, and after a few moments' splashing succeeded in reaching a
branch which dipped in the stream. In another moment or two it was in
safety, chattering away fiercely as an ugly snout was protruded from the
water where it fell.

"Got them this time!" said Brazier in a tone of satisfaction, as five
ducks lay on the water waiting to be picked up. "You should have fired
too, Rob. We want fresh provisions."

"What I told him, sir, but he took such a long aim that the deer said,
`Good-morning; come and be shot another time.'"

"Deer? What deer?"

"One t'other side, sir," said Shaddy, who had got out to unmoor the
boat.

"I wish I had seen it; the meat would have been so valuable to-day."

"What I telled him, sir."

"And you didn't shoot!"

"I was just going to when you fired, and the deer darted away."

"Naturally," said Brazier, smiling; and by this time the boat was
gliding down the river in the wake of the ducks. These were secured,
all but one, which, being wounded, flapped and swam toward the shore,
where it was suddenly sucked down by a reptile or fish. Those they
secured dropped silvery little arrows, apparently, back into the water
in the shape of the tiny voracious fish that had forced their way
already between their feathers to reach the skin.

The birds secured, Rob sat gazing with deligh