tural
consequence of its late conflict with the crocodile. If seen, they
would come in for a share of its anger, already roused.

If seen! They were almost sure of being seen. They were endeavouring
to avoid it by keeping on the other side of the tree, and screening
themselves among the parasitical plants. But the concealment was
slight, and would not avail them if the animal should pass the trunk and
look around after passing. And now it was making straight for the tree,
apparently with the design of ascending it.

At this crisis Henry once more bethought him of running away and taking
Helen with him. He now regretted not having done so sooner. Even to be
lost in the forest would have been a less danger than that which now
threatened them.

A glance told him it would be too late. There was an open space beyond
and all around the trunk behind which they had taken shelter. Should
they attempt to escape, the ape would be certain of seeing them before
they could get under cover of the woods, and, as they supposed, might
easily overtake them in their flight.

Another tree was near, connecting that under which they stood with the
adjoining forest. But it was in a side direction, and they would be
seen before reaching it. There was no alternative but to risk a chase,
or stay where they were, and take the chances of not being seen by the
horrid creature that was approaching. They chose the latter.

Silently they stood, hands clasped and close to the stem of the tree, on
the side opposite to that on which the gorilla was advancing. They no
longer saw it; for now they dared not look around the trunk, or even
peep through the leaves of the orchids, lest their faces might betray
them.

After all, the ape might pass into the forest without observing them.
If it did, the danger would be at an end; if not, the brave boy had
summoned up all his energies to meet and grapple with it. He held the
loaded musket in his hand, ready at a moment's notice to raise it to the
level and fire into the face of the red-haired satyr.

They waited in breathless silence, though each could hear the beating of
the other's heart.

It was torture to stand thus uncertain; and, as if to continue it, the
animal was a long time in getting to the tree. Had it stopped, or
turned off some other way?

Henry was tempted to peep round the trunk and satisfy himself. He was
about to do this, when a scratching on the other side fell upon thei