had he retained
the full length, but it was useless for a bow. Again and again he tried
to bend it. Using all his force, he felt it yield in his hand, and
presently it snapped across. He threw it to the ground with an
exclamation of disgust, and for a few minutes felt utterly dispirited.

"I ought to have tried it first to ascertain whether it was of the
nature of the yew. Surely savages in this region use bows. There must
be wood suited for the purpose, so that if I can find it, I ought to be
able to make as good a bow as they can."

While occupied he had not felt hungry, but as he began to move about, he
was reminded by his sensations that he must find something to eat. He
felt a dislike to making another meal off the shell-fish, but he knew
that unless he should be successful in catching some bird or animal he
would be compelled to do so. Neptune also showed that he was conscious
of the necessity of providing for the inner man. The moment he saw his
master get up, he bounded forward, leaping and frisking about to
encourage him to proceed.

Poor Lord Reginald, as he walked on after the dog, felt downcast and
faint. By going to Richard Hargrave and apologising for his conduct, he
might have obtained all he required, but he would rather starve than do
that.

As he reached the valley he saw a large number of white cockatoos and
green pigeons flying about, and preparing to roost for the night.

"If I can manage to steal on some of those fellows at night, I might
catch a few; that, perhaps, is the way Hargrave gets them."

But that was a long time to wait with the possibility of not succeeding,
and so Neptune thought, for he went ranging far and wide, evidently
looking for food.

Going to the fountain, Lord Reginald took a draught of cold water,
hoping that it might stay his hunger. Though it somewhat refreshed him,
he soon became more eager than ever for food, and sat down on the bank
to consider how he could possibly obtain it. In vain he had thrown
sticks and stones at birds. Perhaps he might form some traps, as he
knew that such means were used for catching birds, but how to construct
them was the puzzle. He turned the matter over and over again in his
mind, and discovered that he had no inventive genius. "I shall have to
go back to the shellfish, after all," he said, with a sigh; "but I must
get a stick for a bow. I will try two or three, out of which one surely
will answer the purpose."

Weak