iff; the trunk curled round the fruit, curved under,
and was drawn back through the hole. The sun shone brightly in, and
Peter felt conscious that the banana was disappearing into the great
brute's wet mouth. Then in the most deliberate manner the end of the
trunk reappeared, gliding towards him like some serpent. The light was
pretty well shut out, and as the wall creaked again, Peter somehow
omitted to dash right off as far away as he could go, and found himself
picking up another banana, which was deliberately taken, disappeared
slowly to make way for the light to pass in, and then the process was
repeated once more.

"Here, who's afraid?" said the lad, mastering the oppression and panting
from which he suffered, as he picked up a fourth banana. "He means
friends, and I'm blessed if I don't believe it's the same one as I
tackled at the sham-fight, I wish I knew.--Want another, mate?" he
continued, as the trunk-end curled towards him again; and as it slowly
took the banana from his hand, he passed his fingers beyond the grasped
fruit, and gave the quivering member a quick stroke or two.

To his surprise, the trunk remained motionless, and a faint snorting
sound or grunt came from beyond the wall.

"All right. Paid for!" said Peter as he withdrew his hand, and the
trunk disappeared. "I do believe it's the same one," repeated the lad,
"and I shall be all right as long as these 'ere 'nanas last; but when
they are done, suppose he comes through to see why the rations have
stopped. Well, I must make them last as long as I can; and he's very
cool over it, and not in a hurry. Wonder whether it is that one I knew,
and he smelt me and come to see. Yah! Stuff! He smelt the fruit. Oh!
here he is again."

The next time the trunk reappeared Peter Pegg was ready with one of the
oat-cakes broken in half. This was taken just as readily, and was being
drawn through the hole when its awkward semicircular shape caused it to
be caught against the sides, and it dropped inside instead of
disappearing like the fruit. The trunk was withdrawn unsupplied, and
Peter was in the act of stooping to pick up the piece of cake, when the
light was obscured again, making the lad glance upwards and catch sight
of the serpent-like, coiling member descending slowly upon him.

"Here, no larks!" cried the lad, dropping upon his knees and preparing
to crawl out of reach; but the thought of what he had suffered before
unnerved him for the m