n a short time Harry and the Professor returned from the search. "We
have lost them, but shall undoubtedly find them later on," was all he
said.

The forest was still to the south of them, and to the north the sea was
now distant fully three or four miles, as the coast seemed to trend to
the northwest, after passing the wild barley fields. The ground appeared
to be more open and level, so a more southerly course was taken in that
direction. Before night they emerged from the dense forest, which still
continued to the right.

No stirring incidents occurred during the day, until night was
approaching, when, on entering a straggling forest of detached trees and
thick underbrush, George, who was in the lead, and acting the part of
the scout, rushed back and held up a warning hand. The team stopped
while Harry and the Professor quickly moved toward George.

"I have seen some orang-outans; come quickly."

Moving forwardly they could hear a plaintive cry, not unlike the wail of
an infant. All stopped in surprise. The Professor was the first to
speak: "That is a young orang. See if you can locate him."

As they moved still nearer the sound, there was a scampering of several
orangs, and not fifty feet away was a pair of babies, struggling to
reach the most convenient tree.

Harry pounced on the pair and caught one of them, which set up a
vigorous shriek. The other, in the excitement, got too far beyond the
reach of George, who, in his eagerness, was too busy watching Harry's
captive to notice the other animal, and before he could reach the tree
one of the grown orangs had reached the ground, gathered up the infant
and again sprang up the tree.

"Give it some honey," said the Professor, laughing.

"What are the things good for, anyway?" asked Harry.

[Illustration: _Fig 1. THE ORANG-OUTAN_]

"Of course, you are not compelled to keep it, but while you have it feed
and treat it well."

"What does it eat?"

"Principally nuts and fruit, as well as vegetables. If properly prepared
they will eat almost everything man eats, except meats."

At first, as a matter of curiosity, they restrained him, and as it was
near camping time for the night, the Professor suggested that it would
be well to make camp close to the tree which had harbored the orang
family.

After a good supper the Baby nestled up in the mattress, and was sound
asleep in fifteen minutes. When the boys arranged the mattresses for the
night, Baby did not see