s; and by keeping on the opposite side of the
river to that on which they might appear, we knew that we could easily
avoid them.

When we went to the place where Mudge had been attacked by the snake, we
looked around very carefully to ascertain that none of its companions
were lurking in the neighbourhood; but we never saw another of the same
size--or, indeed, of any description whatever. Paddy Doyle, to account
for this, declared that the big fellow must have eaten up all the others
before he got killed himself, and that was the reason why he had grown
to such a size.

We thus went up and down the river, and over the downs in various
directions, without the slightest fear. Occasionally we crossed to the
opposite bank in search of game, as also to look for fruit, and some
vegetables which might be cooked for dinner. We greatly felt the want
of them; indeed, my father was afraid that without green food we might
be attacked by scurvy. We had dug a garden and put in seeds, but these,
of course, would take some time to come up.

One day Mudge, Harry, and I, accompanied by Paddy Doyle, with our guns,
went across to the southern side. Harry had heard my father say how
much he wished to have fresh greens of some sort; and as we were walking
along we saw several trees of the palm species.

"Stay," said Harry, "while I climb to the top of one of these trees; we
shall there find just what the captain wants."

Harry was the best climber among us, having been compelled, when living
with the Indians, to swarm up the highest trees to cut cocoa-nuts for
them. We all carried long sheath-knives in our belts, which were useful
for a variety of purposes. Putting down his gun, Harry was quickly at
the top of the tree, and, using his knife, threw down what resembled a
large cabbage. Ascending tree after tree, he threw down from each a
similar bunch of leaves, till we had as many as we could carry. Going
on, we reached some sand-hills, where we found a kind of bean growing on
a stalk which crept along the ground. Mudge thought these also would be
good to eat; and as they were fit for picking, we filled our satchels
with them. We were fortunate also in shooting several pigeons and a
number of parrots. Indeed, we all returned fully laden to the boat; and
I know that I was very glad to get rid of my burden, which literally
made my shoulders ache.

Just before shoving off, I saw, coming towards us through the air, a
large flig