, and
penetrated the brain. It opened its huge jaws and sank back into the
water, beneath which it disappeared, while its companions, alarmed by
the report, swam off, leaving us unmolested.

There we were, floating calmly on the stream, and I could scarcely
believe that an instant before we were engaged in a fearful encounter.
The canoe, however, gave evidence of the power of the creature's teeth,
for part of the gunwale, though it was of considerable thickness, was
literally crunched up. Several holes were made in the bottom, through
which the water was running. We soon had out our knives and set to work
to plug the latter, which we quickly did, before much water had rushed
in, and that was soon bailed out with our hats. Our canoe had received
too much damage to allow us to continue our voyage, and we therefore
paddled back, hoping that we might never again be engaged in a similar
adventure.

"You see, young gentlemen, it's just as well you did not go in the
canoe," observed Jack, when he saw what had happened. "Why, that
creature would have bitten you in two if he had caught you in his jaws
just as easily as you would crack a nut. It will take us a pretty time
to repair this damage. However, it is as well matters are no worse.
Take my advice, in future we will go cruising in company, and if a beast
like that munches up one canoe, we shall at all events have the other to
get home in."

As most of the next day was spent in repairing the canoe, we did not go
off in her. The young ladies I found had become very anxious for a
change. Bella complained much of not being allowed to run about outside
the Castle by herself.

"Could not you find me some pretty animal to ride upon?" she said. "I
have seen many passing along in the distance, and if you could catch a
couple you could soon tame them, and then Kate and I could ride about
with you wherever you go."

"What were the animals like?" asked Stanley.

"Something like horses, or perhaps large donkeys, but they galloped
along so fast that I could not very well distinguish them," she
answered.

"They must have been zebras or quaggas," said David; "though, if Bella
has seen them, I do not know how we could have missed them."

"Because we have been up on the height and can look over the country,
while you have been either busy inside or down in the valley," answered
Bella. "Is not that a good reason?"

"I am afraid, however, that even if we were to catch a