louder, and at the end of
about a mile of climbing there was a soft moist feeling in the air,
which increased till all at once their guide halted upon the brink of a
precipice.

"Now then," he said, speaking loudly, for the roar of the hidden falls
nearly drowned his voice; "come forward cautiously and look down."

Carey and the old sailor approached, parting the mass of ferns and
creepers, which flourished wonderfully in the soft moist air; and then
they found themselves on a level with the top of the hills which they
had seen from the lagoon, where the little river suddenly plunged down
into a deep hollow a couple of hundred feet below, and from which a
faint cloud of mist floated, now arched by an iridescent bow. It was a
beautiful sight, but the doctor gave them little time to admire it.

"You can come up here any time now," he said. "Let's push forward and
get to the lake and the peak which we have to climb, so that you can
have the view."

"But where was it you saw the crocodiles?" asked Carey.

"Oh, half a mile lower down, nearer the sea. I came straight across
to-day, so as to take the nearest cut. The little river runs up through
a winding valley right away from here."

"But we shall be missing all the beauties," said Carey.

The doctor laughed.

"There'll be more beauties and wonders than you can grasp in one
excursion," he said. "I suppose you mean to come again, and to use your
gun."

The boy was silenced, and followed the doctor as he pressed on for some
distance farther, till the valley opened out a little and there was
ample room to walk on the same level as the river, here gliding gently
in the full sunshine, with its banks beautiful with flower, insect, and
bird.

Every here and there, though, there were hot sandy patches dotted with
peculiar-looking black stone lying in masses, cracked and riven as if by
fire, while parts were cindery and vesicular, others glistening in the
sunshine like black glass.

"You take the lead now, Carey," said the doctor. "You can't go wrong;
only follow the river; it will lead you right up to the lake."

"Wouldn't you rather lead, sir?"

"No, my lad; I want you to have the first chance at anything worth
shooting. Keep your eyes well open, and you may catch sight of the
great crowned pigeons. There, forward."

Carey needed no further orders, and full of excitement he stepped on in
front, looking keenly to right and left, and scanning every bush and