in, Wriggs. Perhaps it will float ashore."

"I'm so wet, sir, a drop more water won't hurt me."

"I was not thinking about your getting wet," replied Oliver, who was
intently watching the bird, which was apparently quite dead, "but of the
risk of your encountering another crocodile."

"What, in there, sir--in the water?"

"Yes, I daresay there are several about."

"Oh," said Wriggs, softly, "I didn't think of that," and he stood
scratching his head, and wrinkled up his face, as he looked at the
prostrate reptile.

"Didn't yer know as they was amphibilious animals, Bill," said Smith, in
a low voice.

"What's amphibilious animals?" growled Wriggs.

"Things as gets their living in the waters, and sleeps outside."

"Oh, that's it, is it?" said the sailor, thoughtfully. "And what would
one o' they chaps do, if he was to meet my legs? He couldn't hit out
with his tail in the water."

"No lad, he'd hoperate with his head."

"Then I don't think, Tommy, as we'll come here when we wants a swim,
eh?"

"No lad. Strikes me that--I say; look ye there!"

The appeal was needless, for every one was looking toward where the
light breeze and the spreading rings caused by the lashing of the
crocodile's tail had carried the dead crane, which Oliver was longing to
get as a specimen of bird life unknown, he believed, to science, for all
at once, there was a faint, rippling movement visible close to it, then
a violent agitation. A long, lithe creature suddenly made a dart partly
out of the water, and quick as lightning, they saw its yellowish folds
wrapped round the bird, which was directly after borne down out of
sight.

"Sea-snake, I think," said Oliver, eagerly, in answer to his companions'
questioning looks.

"Hear that, Billy?" whispered Smith, giving his friend a nudge.

"Oh, yes, I hear," growled Wriggs; "says he thinks it's a snake, but it
warn't. I see it, and it was a heel. Didn't yer see how it tied itself
up in a knot round the long-legged bird? I say, I mean to set a
night-line, and ketch that gentleman. Heels is about the best fish to
eat as swims."

"But aren't you going to wade across and fetch the crocodile over,
Billy?"

"No, matey, I aren't. 'Cause why? It's much safer ashore."

CHAPTER EIGHT.

INTO THE MIST.

The lagoon was skirted, and after rather a toilsome ascent among rocks
half smothered in creepers, the edge of the forest was reached, and a
halt called under the shade of a