quick aim through an opening, and fired both barrels of the piece in
rapid succession.

Instantly there was a tremendous beating of wings, and a little flock of
half-a-dozen large, dark birds rose up, affording Oliver and Panton each
a shot, with the result that a couple of the birds fell heavily.

Then the two men behind cheered, there was a rush forward through the
thick growth, and four of the huge crowned pigeons were retrieved--
lovely dark slate-coloured birds, which looked with their soft, loose
plumage and beautiful crests, nearly double the size of ordinary
farm-yard fowls.

"Now," cried Oliver, triumphantly, "back with you to the fire, and pluck
and cook those. We will be with you in a couple of hours' time. But I
say, Panton, you won't eat half-a-dozen?"

The two men seized a bird in each hand, grinning with delight, and
started off for the edge of the wood at a run, but Smith stopped and
turned.

"Byled or roast, sir?" he cried.

"Roast, of course," said Oliver. "You have nothing to boil them in."

"Byling spring, sir."

"Nonsense, man. Off with you. Now," he continued, as the two sailors
disappeared, "specimens. A little way farther, and then turn back."

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.

DANGER SIGNALS.

Oliver suffered from a sensation of disappointment during those next two
hours, for he regretted not stripping the skins from the magnificent
fruit pigeons, but, as his companions said, he had no cause to complain,
for he secured specimens of two beautifully feathered birds of Paradise,
of an exceedingly rare kind. In addition he had a couple of brilliant
scarlet and green lories, and half-a-dozen sun-birds, while Drew's
collecting box and pockets were full of specimens, and Panton perspired
freely beneath his burden of crystals, vitrified rock, and pieces of
quartz. Several of these contained specks of metal, and proved
satisfactorily that in spite of volcanic eruption and the abundant
coral, the nucleus of the land on which they stood was exceedingly
ancient, and evidently a part of some continent now submerged.

Smith met them as they approached camp and announced dinner, and in
spite of the absence of bread and vegetables, no meat was ever more
enjoyed than the roast Goura pigeons, nor greater justice done to the
viand.

"Now then for the brig," said Oliver, decisively. "We must not stop by
the way, for the sun will soon be getting low. Mr Rimmer will be
coming after us if we are not