stian, and he and the queen,
with one or two others of the royal household, used to attend school
with the children every day, and their diligence in studying the A B C
was beyond all praise. But they were terribly stupid. The children
beat them easily, showing how true is the saying that `youth is the time
to learn.' The king was always booby, and Makarooroo was always beside
him."

As the trader spoke, Makarooroo came forward and shook hands with him in
the English fashion. He was then introduced to us, and expressed his
willingness to become our interpreter in somewhat curious but quite
comprehensible English. As I looked at his intelligent, good-natured
countenance, I could not help thinking that the trader had underrated
his intellectual powers.

"He's a funny dog that Makarooroo," said Peterkin, as our interpreter
hastened away to fetch his rusty old gun and spears; for he meant to
join our hunting expedition, although he had only that moment arrived
from a long and fatiguing chase.

"Do you think so?" said Jack.

"I don't agree with you," said I; "to me he seems rather of a grave and
quiet disposition."

"O Ralph, what a bat you are! He was grave enough just now, truly; but
did you not observe the twinkle in his eye when he spoke to us in
English? Depend on it he's a funny dog."

"There must be freemasonry, then, among funny dogs," I retorted, "for
Jack and I don't perceive it."

"Is this our canoe?" inquired Jack of the trader.

"It is."

"Then let's jump in."

In a few seconds the river was crowded with a fleet of small canoes, and
we all paddled quickly up the stream, which was sluggish at that part.
We did not intend to proceed more than a few miles by water, as the
place where game was expected was at some distance from the river. I
felt some regret at this, for the trip up the river was to me most
enchanting.

Every yard we advanced new beauties of scenery were revealed to view.
The richness of the tropical vegetation seemed in this place to
culminate, it was so rank and gorgeous. The day was fine, too, and all
the strange-looking creatures--ugly and beautiful, large and small--
peculiar to those regions, seemed to have resolved on a general peace in
order to bask in the sunshine and enjoy the glorious weather. Man alone
was bent on war, and our track, alas! was marked with blood wherever we
passed along. I pondered much on this subject, and wondered at the
bloodthirsty spirit whi