,
however, Bruff had ceased barking, and therefore was not likely to
disturb any game that might be on the way.

But though they progressed nearly a mile inland not a bird was visible.
There was the loud whizzing whirr of innumerable cicadas, and once or
twice they heard a piping cry, after that all was stifling heat and
silence.

Their progress was very slow, for after finding there was not much
chance of getting a shot the various members of the party began to
inspect the objects around them. The major lit his cigar, Mr Gregory
examined the sand to see if it contained gold, Mr Morgan tried to find
crystals among the pebbles, Mark gazed up at the patches of ferns and
orchids among the branches of the trees, and Small and Billy Widgeon
took a great deal of interest in the various pools they passed, but
found no fish, for at their coming the occupants of the pools took
fright and stirred up the sand and mud so that the water became
discoloured.

"And I lays as they're eels," said Billy Widgeon, as he carried on a
discussion with Small.

"And I says they're big jacks or pikes," replied the boatswain; "but I
want to know wheer they're going to feed the beasts."

"Feed what beasts?" said Mark, who was listening to their dispute and
gazing down into a good-sized pool where the water was still in motion.

"These here beasts, sir," said Small with a grin. "All on us. These
canvas bags is heavy, and I want to see the weight o' the wittles
distributed. Much easier to carry that way, and the bottles pitched
overboard."

"Hist!" whispered Billy Widgeon, who was peering through some bushes
where the little river made a curve.

"Whatch yer found, Billy?"

"Don't make a row, and come and look here, Mr Mark, sir. Here's such a
whacking great effet, same as used to be in our pond at home."

Mark hurried to his side, followed by Small.

"Why, it's a 'gator," the latter said as he reached the spot where there
was an extensive pool, quite undisturbed, for the screen of bushes had
hidden it from the passers-by.

"A crocodile!" said Mark as he gazed excitedly into the clear water at
the plainly defined shape of the little saurian, for it was not above
four feet long.

"Wait a minute," whispered Billy; "I'll give him such a wonner in the
skull," and picking up a heavy piece of stone from the many lying in the
half-dry river-bed he pitched it with fairly good aim just above the
basking reptile.

There was a dull plung