hes were very luxuriant, they
were not so thickly crowded together as to hinder our progress among
them. We were able to wind in and out, and to follow the banks of the
stream quite easily, although, it is true, the height and thickness of
the foliage prevented us from seeing far ahead. But sometimes a jutting-
out rock on the hill sides afforded us a position whence we could enjoy
the romantic view and mark our progress towards the foot of the hill. I
wag particularly struck, during the walk, with the richness of the
undergrowth in most places, and recognised many berries and plants that
resembled those of my native land, especially a tall, elegantly-formed
fern, which emitted an agreeable perfume. There were several kinds of
flowers, too, but I did not see so many of these as I should have
expected in such a climate. We also saw a great variety of small birds
of bright plumage, and many paroquets similar to the one that awoke
Peterkin so rudely in the morning.

Thus we advanced to the foot of the hill without encountering anything to
alarm us, except, indeed, once, when we were passing close under a part
of the hill which was hidden from our view by the broad leaves of the
banana trees, which grew in great luxuriance in that part. Jack was just
preparing to force his way through this thicket, when we were startled
and arrested by a strange pattering or rumbling sound, which appeared to
us quite different from any of the sounds we had heard during the
previous part of our walk.

"Hallo!" cried Peterkin, stopping short and grasping his club with both
hands, "what's that?"

Neither of us replied; but Jack seized his axe in his right hand, while
with the other he pushed aside the broad leaves and endeavoured to peer
amongst them.

"I can see nothing," he said, after a short pause.

"I think it--"

Again the rumbling sound came, louder than before, and we all sprang back
and stood on the defensive. For myself, having forgotten my club, and
not having taken the precaution to cut another, I buttoned my jacket,
doubled my fists, and threw myself into a boxing attitude. I must say,
however, that I felt somewhat uneasy; and my companions afterwards
confessed that their thoughts at this moment had been instantly filled
with all they had ever heard or read of wild beasts and savages,
torturings at the stake, roastings alive, and such like horrible things.
Suddenly the pattering noise increased with tenfold violence