the skylight," said Carey.

"Ah, now you're talking sense, sir. Of course, but you'll have a
revolver?"

Carey nodded, and Bostock hurried off, to return in a few minutes
without the objects of which he had been in search.

"Well, where are the arms?" cried Carey.

"Aren't got 'em yet, sir. Them chaps want me to light a fire and cook
the thumping big snake they've got, and it's a horrid idee, sir. The
oven'll never be fit to use again. They made signs that if I didn't
they'd light a fire on the deck, and one chap began rubbing his
fire-sticks to get a light."

"I can't spare you, Bob," cried Carey, anxiously. "What am I to do?
Here, I know," said the boy, rising to the emergency. "Here, Jackum!"

The man, who had been watching him intently, sprang to his side on the
instant, looking ready to obey the slightest order.

"Tell your boys to take the snake over to the sands and light a fire
there to roast it. They can make a feast."

The black nodded, as if fully endorsing the plan. "Jackum go too."

"No, stop, I want you. Send all the others."

"Jackum want eat."

"You shall have plenty to eat," cried Carey, and the man grinned, spoke
sharply to his companions, who ran with him forward, and, as the pair
watched them and listened, they heard quite a babel of excited voices
rise, and Carey's heart sank.

"They won't go," he said.

"Oh, won't they, sir," said Bostock, with a chuckle. "You'll see
directly."

The old sailor was right, for directly after they were seen carrying the
carefully skinned and cleaned serpent to the side, where they lowered it
into the boat, into which they crowded till it was full, four of them
perching on the outrigger.

Then with a loud shout the heavily-laden canoe was pushed off, the
paddles began to splash, and Jackum came back.

"All gone 'way," he said, rather solemnly, as if disappointed at not
being able to join the banquet. "Jackum want eat."

"Yes, of course. Come along. Here, Bob, what can you give him to eat?"

The black's eyes sparkled, as he turned eagerly to Bostock.

"What yer like, Sooty?" said the latter.

"Bob gib ticky-ticky; Pick Dilly. Much cake."

"Look ye here," said the old sailor. "You love damper?"

"Iss. Damper."

"Ticky-ticky?"

"Iss. Much ticky-ticky."

"And I'll light a fire and roast something for you to eat by-and-by."

"Jackum no like roast somefin. Cooky big bird."

"Yes, I'll cook a big bird for you. That do? Co