birds, suitable for
the pot or spit. The hunters had been returning from their last
expedition heavily loaded with game, when the cries of Helen, Henry, and
Murtagh, had caused them to drop their booty and hasten to the rescue.

Now that all was over, and they were once more reminded of it, Saloo and
Murtagh went in search of the abandoned game, soon found it, gathered it
again, and transported it to their camping-place by the side of the
lake.

Here, during the time they stayed to await the recovery of Helen's
health, the pork and venison were cut up and cured in such a manner as
to ensure its keeping for a long time--long enough indeed to suffice
them throughout the whole duration of their contemplated journey; that
is, should no unexpected obstacle arise to obstruct or detain them.

The fowls that had fallen to Saloo's arrows were sufficient to serve
them for a few days, and with the fine supply of lard obtained from the
carcass of the pig, they could be cooked in the most sumptuous manner.

In the best of spirits they again set forth; and it seemed now as if
fate had at last grown weary of torturing them, and daily, almost
hourly, involving one or other of them in danger of death.

From the edge of the lake, where their journey had been so strangely
interrupted, they found an easy path across the remaining portion of the
great plain.

Several times they came upon the traces of red gorillas, and once they
caught sight of a member of the horrid tribe speeding along the branches
above their heads.

But they were not so much afraid of them after all; for Saloo admitted
that he did not deem the _mias pappan_ so dangerous; and he had
ascertained that it was this species of ourang-outang they had
encountered.

He confessed himself puzzled at the behaviour of the one that had caused
them so much fear and trouble. It was another species, the _mias
rombi_, of which he stood in dread; and he could only account for the
_mias pappan_ having acted as it had done, by supposing the animal to
have taken some eccentric notion into its head--perhaps caused, as we
have already hinted, by its conflict with the crocodile.

Dangerous these gigantic _quadrumana_ are, nevertheless;--their
superhuman strength enabling them to make terrible havoc wherever and
whenever their fury becomes aroused. But without provocation this
rarely occurs, and a man or woman who passes by them without making a
noise, is not likely to be molested.