ask whether the people were likely to prove friendly
or not. After consulting with our guides he answered that the huts were
deserted, the whole of the inhabitants having been carried off by a
fleet of prahus which lately visited the coast.

On landing we found that this account was correct. Looking out for some
thick underwood we dragged up our whale boat on the beach, and so
concealed her that she could not be seen by strangers entering the bay.
We now prepared for our march. We each of us carried, besides our arms
and ammunition, some biscuits, tea, and sugar, a small bale of goods
consisting of coloured cloth, axes, knives, beads, and glittering
ornaments likely to suit the savage taste.

Ned and Charley had, besides, our simple cooking utensils. We felt sure
of obtaining game enough and wild fruits to enable us to fare
sumptuously.

Blyth and I were in high spirits, for I felt sure ere long that we
should find my father, and I was surprised that Uncle Jack did not
appear equally confident. We found the woods as we proceeded full of
birds of magnificent plumage, parrots, cockatoos, lories, and others of
exquisite form and colour, which Blyth at once declared were birds of
paradise. They, however, kept at such a distance that we were unable to
shoot any of them had we been so disposed. Looking up at the top of a
lofty tree we saw a large number flying backwards and forwards from
branch to branch, so that the trees appeared filled with waving plumes.
We stopped for a moment to admire them. Their wings were raised
directly over their backs. Their heads were stretched out, while their
long hinder feathers, being elevated and expanded, formed two superb
fans. The heads of the birds were yellow, their throats emerald green,
but we could scarcely distinguish the tints amid the rich golden glory
which waved above them. Magnificent butterflies, also of the most
gorgeous colours, flew round us, and glittering beetles, of equally
beautiful tints, crept along the ground or up the stems of the trees.
In one or two open spots we startled several kangaroos of a small
species which went hopping away, looking back curiously at us every now
and then. Suddenly also we came upon a cassowary, a wingless bird, the
body of which is about twice the size of a large turkey, but its long
legs raise it to the height of five or six feet from the ground. It is
covered with long close black hair like feathers. The skin of the neck