ing into the joke, "I'll give orders
that every swollen serpent is to be bayonetted and opened if the doctor
is missing."

"Laugh away," said the doctor; "I don't mind."

"That's right," said Captain Horton; "but for goodness' sake, man, wash
your hands well before you come to dinner."

"All right," said the doctor; and that evening, after dinner, he took
the Malay boy into his confidence.

"Look here," he said, "I want to shoot an Argus pheasant. There must be
some about here."

"Argus pheasant?" said the Malay boy, staring, and then shaking his
head.

"Yes, I heard one last night."

Still the boy shook his head. He had never heard of such a bird.

"Oh, yes, you know what I mean," said the doctor; "they keep in the
shelter of the jungle, and are very rarely shot; but I must have one."

The boy shook his head.

"Don't I tell you I heard one last night, after we had camped down? It
calls out _Coo-ai_."

"No, no! no, no!" cried the boy; "_Coo-ow, Coo-ow_."

"Yes, that's it," cried the doctor. "You know the bird."

"Yes, know the big spot bird; all eyes," said the boy. "Sees all over
himself; like a peacock. Hunter no shoot him, see too much far."

"But I must shoot one," said the doctor.

"Yes, you shoot one," said the boy. "I take you to-night." The doctor
rubbed his hands and was delighted; and after the dinner, when the
officers and chiefs were sitting smoking and sipping their coffee by the
light of the stars, he rose and took his gun, for the Malay boy was
waiting.

"Off again, doctor?" cried the major.

"Yes," said the little man, importantly. "I am going, sir, to add to my
collection a specimen of the celebrated Argus pheasant--_Phasianus
Giganteus_."

"No, no, doctor; no Latin names after dinner," cried several voices.

"As you please, gentlemen," he said.

"The sultan says, shall he send a score of his men to protect you?"
cried Captain Horton.

"For goodness' sake no!" cried the doctor in dismay. "My dear sir, this
bird is only to be shot by approaching it most cautiously at night, or
by laying patiently near its haunts."

"Laying what, doctor--eggs?" said a young officer.

"No, sir; a stick about the back of impertinent puppies," cried the
doctor, angrily. "I said lying--lying in wait near the bird's haunts."

"Oh, I beg your pardon," said the young officer; and the doctor went off
in dudgeon.

"I say, Thompson," said the major, "don't you be poorly, whatever you
do,