, and something
yellowish dropped with a thud from the nearest great fork, made four or
five great bounds through the low bushes, and disappeared.

"Leopard," said the Spanish captain quietly. "Get out your gun, sir.
His mate will not be far away."

He had hardly spoken before another of the great cats leaped from bough
to bough of the huge forest tree they had approached, and disappeared in
turn, escaping unscathed.

"You are keeping your word, sir," said Rodd. The Spaniard smiled, and
remained in his place, while Joe Cross and the lads paddled the boat out
again to a spot the Spaniard pointed out, and there dropped the grapnel,
before beginning to fish, using small pieces of fat pork for their bait.

Long before the fire had burnt up enough for cooking purposes or the
great kettle had boiled in the shade of the huge tree that had been
chosen for kitchen, bites had become frequent, and fine carp-like fish,
whose golden scales glittered in the light, were being hauled into the
boat; but eager though the lads were, and full of enjoyment of their
sport, it was hot out there in the sun, and arms were beginning to ache,
while hunger asserted itself more and more.

"I say, Morny," cried Rodd, "enough's as good as a feast."

"Yes, sir," cried Joe, "and we have got enough and the feast to come,
for these look as if they'd be good. Shall we put ashore?"

Rodd nodded assent, and soon after Joe and a couple of his mates had
been busy with their knives on the sandy river bank, the unwonted sound
made by a frying-pan arose from the fire, with the result that there was
no doubt about the carp-like fish being good, and the _al fresco_ dinner
proving a success.

The afternoon was wearing on when the preparations for a fresh start
were made, the Spaniard promising the doctor that he would point out
another good resting-place for the night before it was dark.

"All aboard!" cried Joe just then. "Why, look at that now! Well,
there's plenty of fish left, Mr Rodd, and in this 'ere hot country we
had better have it fresh."

"Why, I didn't expect to see them again, uncle," cried Rodd, and he
pointed across the river to where the two blacks with their canoe had
suddenly appeared, as if they had been in hiding and watching the
cooking going on till it seemed to them that their time had come, when
they lay there with their boat just as before, apparently waiting till
the strangers had gone on.

"Do they mean to keep on followi