down like showers of
silver light.

"He has found something," I whispered.

"Then you run forward, Nat, and see. Be cool, and take a good quick
aim. I'll mind the birds."

He took the bamboo, and I ran forward to where the black was waving me
on; but went more cautiously as I drew nearer, and a few moments later I
was crouching in the shadow of the bushes at the edge of the opening,
watching the objects at which the black was pointing.

I knew by means of my ears what birds he had found, before I caught
sight of them, for every now and then a harsh shrill scream was uttered,
and before long I could see across the opening quite a little flock of
beautiful scarlet lories busily feeding on the clustering fruit of a
tall forest tree, which, being close to the sunny opening, was covered
with leaves and twigs, from the top to the very ground.

I was so utterly taken up by the beauty of the sight that I forgot all
about my gun, but knelt there watching the lovely little long-tailed
birds, climbing by the help of their beaks, in and out amongst the
branches, sometimes hanging by their strong curved bills, sometimes head
downwards by one or both legs, and always busily hunting for food.

I had seen stuffed specimens before, but they seemed so poor and
common-looking beside the velvety softness and brilliant colouring of
these smooth-feathered, lively, rounded birds, and I kept on enjoying
the sight to so great an extent that I am sure the flock would have
escaped had not my black companion shook my arm violently, and pointed
to my gun, when, recalling the object of my journey, I raised it, took
careful aim, and fired.

There was a shrill cry from the birds, and the flock took flight, but
not until I had managed to get another shot, the result being that I
secured three very beautiful specimens to take back to my uncle, showing
them to him with a glow of pride.

"I want to be of some use, uncle," I said, for I had been afraid that he
would think I could not shoot.

"Use, Nat! why, you shot one of those pigeons this morning."

"Did I, uncle?" I said.

"To be sure, my boy. At all events I did not, so it must have been
you."

He was delighted with the three specimens I had secured, and saying that
these would be as many as he could comfortably preserve that day, we
went on exploring more than collecting, in what was to me quite a
fairyland of wonders.

Perhaps long confinement on shipboard had something to do wi