the ridge, took up the baby, and, nursing it gently
on one arm, came along the roof and down the sloping verandah, and
lowered the son and heir of Kit See into Professor Thunder's arms amidst
a storm of cheering such as had never been heard at Wangaroo.

Nickie had predicted rightly. The Wangaroo "Guardian" next morning
contained a thrilling account of the rescue, and in a leading article the
editor pointed out that the humanitarian action of the Missing Link was
proof that it approached nearer to the standard of man than any other
known animal.

The enthusiasm provoked by Mahdi's action brought a tremendous rush of
business. In fact, the attention excited threatened to lead to an
exposure of Professor Thunder's daring imposition. Leading men wanted to
interview Mahdi; a section of the people of Wangaroo were even talking of
having the Missing Link adorned with the Humane Society's medal, and
another section prepared an illuminated address. Eventually the great
showman left the town in something of a hurry to escape notoriety that
promised to be dangerous, but he had done a record six-days' business,
and was content.

"But how'd yeh beat the blanky gorilla?" asked the Living Skeleton on the
morning after the rescue, as the Missing Link sat in his cage munching
preserved fruits presented to him in abundance by the grateful Kit See.

"How do you think?" replied the intelligent animal. "With an ammonia
squirt, of course. When he came at me I squirted a dose into him that
nearly killed him. I'm never without that little weapon, and I think,
Matthew really think that we shall teach the gorilla proper respect for
the superior animals before we have done with him. His desire to supplant
me in the scheme of evolution is contrary to science, my boy, and a
defiance of natural law, and must not be countenanced for a moment."

CHAPTER XI.

THE DEFEAT OF DAN HEELEY.

AT Big Timber Professor Thunder's Museum of Marvels had run for several
consecutive hours to satisfactory business, and was now well on its way
to The Mills, where a great day was expected in view of some local
festivity that meant a general holiday for the mill hands, and a bush
carousal.

The caravan was drawn up for tea in the moonlit bush by Howlet's jinker
track. A camp-fire blazed in the end of a butt under a wide-branching
gum. The Professor lay at a distance--for the night was warm--smoking on
the crisp grass. The Living Skeleton crouched near, emb