of being pale
slate-coloured, barred and flecked like a sparrowhawk, Jack's specimens
would display a breast of the purest carmine, and a back glistening with
metallic green. Something like cuckoos, Ned declared them to be, but
not in aspect.

One morning, after several times hearing their calls in a clump of
gigantic trees up one of the volcanic ravines, the doctor called the lad
to be his companion to try and stalk what he believed to be birds of
paradise; but they had evidently chosen the wrong time, for to their
disappointment not a sound was heard, and they would have gone back to
the yacht empty-handed if it had not been for Ned's sharp eyes.

"There they are!" he whispered, pointing across the ravine to where
another little forest of tall trees feathered the steep sides of the
slope.

"What are?" said Jack excitedly.

"The birds you are looking for, sir. Saw about a dozen, big as
pheasants, fly across and settle there."

He pointed with the gun he carried to one tree which towered above the
rest.

"They went down under there, sir. I could lead you straight to the
place."

Jack took out his small glass, and after gazing through it attentively
he suddenly said--

"I saw a big bird fly down. Yes, and another."

"They can't be those we want," said the doctor, "but they may be good
specimens of something. What do you say, Jack, will you go down and
across?"

"Oh yes," he replied.

"It's very steep, and will mean lowering ourselves cautiously."

"I don't mind," said the lad. "If it's very bad they will help me."

"Oh yes, sir, we'll help," said Lenny, turning to his companions; "won't
us, lads?"

There was a chorus of "Ay, ays," and the steep descent from the great
grove commenced, it being necessary to get to the bottom of what became
low down a precipitous gully, along which one of the springs which had
its source high up in the mountain dashed along. This had to be
crossed, and then there was a similar climb on the other side.

The start was made, and proved difficult enough, for where the trees
were not close and their roots interlaced, there were openings where
masses of volcanic rock were tumbled-together in inextricable confusion,
and the way over them was made more difficult by the bushy, shrubby
growth and creepers which bound them together.

But the sailors were activity itself, and they slashed and trampled down
and hauled and lowered till the whole party found themselves upon a