is covered, and if we had found it so, we should have had
considerable difficulty in crossing; so it is as well as it is, here is
water enough for ourselves and our weary beasts." We accordingly agreed
to stop and dine. Having watered our horses, we hobbled them and turned
them at liberty under some trees where grass was growing; then
unslinging our guns, we went in search of the cockatoos we had seen. I
killed one, and Guy a parrot; but the report of our guns frightened away
the birds, which were more wary than usual, and we had to return
satisfied with this scanty supply of food. On reaching the spot we had
selected for our camp, close to the water where our black boy was
waiting for us, we found that he had during our absence made a fire, at
which we cooked the birds, Toby devouring the larger portion.

We would gladly have eaten some fruit, however sour it might have been,
but none was to be found. We had just finished masticating the tough
parrot, when we caught sight of two natives scampering along as if they
were mad, so it seemed to us, for they had their eyes fixed in the air
and appeared regardless of all impediments in their way. We shouted to
them, but not hearing us, on they went, now leaping over the fallen
trunk of a tree, now rushing through a bush, now tumbling into a hole,
still keeping their eyes fixed on the object which engaged their
attention. We asked Toby what they were about.

"Dey huntee bee. Soon catchee!" he answered. The reply was
intelligible enough, but why they should hunt a bee puzzled us. They
however stopped, while yet in sight, under a large tree, the stem of
which they began to climb. Hoping, as was really the case, that they
were going to rob the hive of its honey, we followed them. As we
approached we could see their dusky forms among the lower branches, with
vast numbers of bees flying about them, whose presence they seemed
almost to disregard.

The two natives were so busily employed that they did not at first
perceive us; but when they came down, they regarded us with much
astonishment, and we were afraid that they would turn tail and run off,
without giving us the honey which it was our object to obtain. We
therefore made all the friendly signs we could think of, and I having
fortunately a gaily printed cotton handkerchief in my pocket, presented
it to them, signifying at the same time that we wished some of the honey
in return.

Our quiet manner quickly disarm