k at those orchid clusters growing
out of the stump where the tree branches. Shall I pick it, Ned? Say
yes, and I won't. I haven't forgotten the little snake which crept out
on to my hand that time. Hallo! What bird's that? What a chance for a
shot!"

As he sat there with a gun across his knees, first one and then
half-a-dozen large birds, emboldened by the silence, came stalking out
from beneath the bushes, looking something like so many farmyard hens as
they began to peck and scratch about.

"What a chance!" thought Jack. "I might get a couple for roasting, but
we've killed enough things for one day."

He sat perfectly still, watching the birds till they had crossed a
little opening in front and slowly began to make their way up the slope
in the direction taken by the doctor, Lenny, and the four men with them.

Then all at once one of the birds uttered a low clucking sound, and
stood up with outstretched neck gazing in Jack's direction.

The bird was absolutely motionless for a few moments, then it ducked
down its neck and ran off beneath the undergrowth.

"Birds are beginning to know that we're dangerous," he said aloud. "Did
you see those, Ned?"

There was no answer, and Jack turned to gaze down at his companion, who
was fast asleep and breathing heavily.

"Poor fellow, he is not so strong as he thinks," said Jack to himself,
"or else he will not own to his weakness for fear of being a trouble to
us. What a wonderful thing strength is! I suppose I'm a good deal
sturdier than I was. Must help father to-night arranging and making
notes of some of the insects we got yesterday. Why, we shall have a
regular museum by the time we get back to England."

And as he sat there in the calm silence, with the huge trees towering
above his head, as if to filter the light and let it fall in streams and
drops, it seemed to him that the best way to observe Nature was to sit
down perfectly still as he had, and watch. For in different directions
he saw next how animal and even insect stole out now to pursue its
ordinary courses, and he sat watching till the whole place seemed alive.

Twice over he heard shots, but they were faint and distant, and once
there was a peculiar bump as if a large stone had fallen from far up the
mountain side. Then all was still again, and the birds he had seen
pause in alarm resumed their pecking and climbing about.

"How soundly he sleeps!" thought Jack; and at last, when a good h