ou are absent."

"You can dispense with our protection for a couple of nights, I hope, at
all events," he answered. "We have no enemies to fear; and, in truth,
two nights spent in the wilds at a time are sufficient to satisfy even
my love of sport. If we had waggons to carry our provisions, and horses
to ride, the case might be different; but even if we get the game we
cannot bring it back, so you may rely on our reappearance at the time I
propose."

I did not see them in the morning, as they went away before I had risen.
Stanley had been absent two days, when, as the weather was cool, the
boys begged me and their sisters to come down and take a paddle on the
lake. I was able, I thought, to walk down and back again with their
assistance, and as David thought I should benefit by the amusement, he
advised me to go, Timbo remaining, while Jack went as captain. Chico,
as usual, accompanied us, and hopping into the canoe, took his seat in
the bows. As we paddled along we had abundance of matter to interest
us, in the numerous birds which skimmed along the water or sat perched
on the trees. Bella pointed out some beautiful turtle-doves, which were
sitting happily on their nests above the water gently uttering their low
coos to each other. Not far off we espied an ibis perched on the stump
of a tree, shattered probably by lightning.

"I should like to bring her down for her impertinence," cried Leo.
"Listen to her loud `Wa--wa--wa.' She is trying to drown the voices of
your favourites, Bella."

Though we passed close by, the ibis seemed in no way disposed to move,
but continued shouting "Wa--wa--wa." However, she was not allowed to
cry alone, for near her sat three fish-hawks piping away in the same
fashion. Leo was about to stop and take a shot at one of them, but Kate
intreated him to let the bird alone, and we rowed on, leaving him and
his companions piping away to their hearts' content. Presently we saw a
moderately-sized bird, like a plover, darting here and there, and
uttering a peculiar sound. "Tine--tine--tine," cried Leo; "what is that
you say?" Presently a white-necked raven, which was sitting on a stump
some way down, flew off, shrieking with fear, as the plover pursued it.

"Well, that is a coward," said Leo. "He is running away from a bird
half his size."

"Very wise," observed Jack. "Timbo, when he was out with me the other
day, told me they call him the `hammering iron,' on account of his
`