o fill his hand full, when
at that instant I saw a ripple in the water rapidly approaching. I had
just time to spring up and pull him violently back, when a huge snout
projected above the surface. The monster, startled by the fearful
shriek Natty set up, and the loud cries I uttered, did not venture to
approach, and slunk back again beneath the surface. I confess I was
completely unnerved, and stood trembling all over, while Natty would
have sunk to the ground had I not supported him. It was some minutes
before I recovered.

"I must not again run the risk of being caught like that. I ought to
have remembered the crocodiles," he said at last. "But I say, Andrew,
don't you think it very likely that the creature may have its nest
somewhere about the island? I will have a hunt."

Forthwith we began poking about in all directions with pieces of
bamboo--a small grove of which grew on the island.

"Here is a hole," cried Natty at length, "and full of eggs, too. We
will pay the crocodile off now for the fright he gave us."

I confess at first I could scarcely bring myself to think of eating
crocodile's eggs. Natty had no such scruple. We filled our hats, and
brought them to the beach, where, clearing away the grass to prevent an
accident, we soon had a fire burning. As we had no pot to boil our
eggs, we put them into the fire to roast, stirring them round and round
with a stick. In spite of my repugnance, so excessive was my hunger
that as soon as we thought the eggs were done, and Natty had pulled them
out, I cracked one. The yolk alone had set, but that looked tolerably
tempting; and on putting it to my mouth I could scarcely distinguish it,
except by a peculiar flavour, from the yolk of a bird's egg. A couple,
however, satisfied me.

"They will last the longer for not being too nice," observed Natty; "and
we do not know how long we may have to stay here."

"We must think of means of getting away," I said; "for it is not likely
that any canoes will pass by, and it is very certain that we must not
attempt to swim on shore, though, were it only for the distance, I think
I could do it, and carry you on my back."

"No, no, indeed!" exclaimed Natty. "We have had experience already of
what would be our fate if we ventured into the water. But do you not
think that the captain will come to look for us in the _Giraffe_ when we
do not return? He will never give us up without a search."

"But you forget," I sai