alter, with
the point of his, pressed its neck down to the ground. The creature
had, however, still an abundance of life, and made desperate efforts to
escape. When it advanced, the doctor drove his spear further down its
throat; and when it retreated, finding the point unpleasant, Nub hauled
away on the rope, which grew tighter and tighter round its neck.

"Hit it on the tail with your spear, Walter; a few heavy blows will soon
render it helpless," said the doctor; and Walter, as directed,
belaboured the unfortunate creature, till at length its struggles
ceased.

"Hurrah! we got him now,--and plenty of dinner to last us for many
days," shouted Nub. "I tink what we now got to do is to make ropes fast
round him neck and drag him home."

Nub's suggestion was acted on; and having cut some vines and fastened
them round the creature's neck, they harnessed themselves and began
hauling it along. The operation was somewhat fatiguing, owing to the
roughness of the ground and the numerous roots which projected in all
directions. Their arrival was welcomed cordially by the mate and Dan;
Alice, however, could not believe that they intended to eat so hideous a
creature. It was forthwith hoisted up to the branch of a tree; and
while Nub and Dan prepared the fire for cooking it, the doctor cut open
its inside, which was found full of tree-frogs, small lizards, and other
creatures. Walter stood by watching him, as with scientific skill he
dissected the huge lizard, discoursing as he did so in technical
language, which was perfectly incomprehensible to his young hearer, on
the curious formation of the creature,--on its bones, muscles, and other
internal parts.

"I tink one ting," observed Nub, who, after he had deposited a bundle of
faggots near the fire, had come back to watch the proceedings. "I tink
that he make bery good roast, and remarkably fine stew, if we had salt
and pepper, and a few oder tings to eat wid him. I bery glad if we
catch one of dese beasts ebery oder day."

As soon as the doctor had satisfied his curiosity, Nub begged that he
might have the joints, as it was time to begin cooking them for dinner.
The remainder of the carcass was now hung up in the larder, which had
been finished in time for its reception.

"We must see about preserving our meat, however," observed the doctor,
"or we shall always be liable to starvation; and the sooner we begin the
better."

"What do you propose doing?" asked Walt