Mr Lawrie," he exclaimed, "what is that terrific monster? If it
should run at us it will kill us. The head looks to me like that of a
crocodile; but do such creatures exist on land? Shall we attack it, or
will it be better to get out of its way?" he asked, quickly recovering
his courage, and bringing his spear ready for battle. Walter's sharp
eyes had detected what Mr Lawrie had before failed to see in the gloom
of the forest.

"If we are not cautious, it will be getting out of our way, which I
should be sorry for," answered the surgeon with a calmness which
surprised his companion. "That creature is a species of iguana, some
few of which inhabit the East, though the larger number are found in
South America and the West India Islands. They are not very formidable
antagonists, and are more likely to run away than attack us. If we had
a good strong noose, we might throw it over the head of the animal, and
soon haul it down from its perch, where it at present seems to be
sleeping."

While they were speaking, Nub overtook them, and was highly pleased when
they pointed out to him the hideous-looking lizard.

"Look, I brought dis," he said, producing a piece of rope. "Now I go
and slip it ober de head of de iguana; and when I pull him down, you pin
him to de ground with your spears."

The doctor and Walter agreed to follow Nub's advice, and cautiously
approached the sleeping brachylophus, as the doctor called the creature.
It looked still more formidable as they approached; for it had a long
pointed tail, large claws, a row of spines down its back, and numerous
teeth in its long jaws. Lumps and excrescences of various sizes added
to the hideous appearance of its head.

Nub got the noose ready to throw, while the doctor and Walter held their
spears prepared for action. Nub drew nearer and nearer; the reptile
opened one of its eyes, and then the other, and moved its tail slightly.
In a moment the noose was dexterously thrown over its head, when Nub
gave a violent pull before it had time to grasp the branch with its
claws, and hauled it to the ground. "Now, Massa Walter," he shouted
out; "hold on to him tail." But though both Walter and the doctor
attempted to catch the creature's tail, it whisked it about so violently
that the task was no easy one. Nub meantime kept jumping round and
round, as it made attempts to bite his legs. The doctor at length
getting in front, ran his spear into its open mouth; while W