kept, no other opportunity for a shot
presented itself.

The reason was plain enough--they were unable to get along without
making a good deal of noise; and though the smaller birds of brilliant
plumage paid little heed, the larger, such as might have been used for
food, took flight before they got within shot, as they often knew by the
flapping and beating of their wings.

They were slowly descending one beautiful slope after carefully taking
in some landmarks so as to guide them on their return, when all at once
Mark laid his hand upon the major's arm and pointed to an opening in the
jungle about a hundred yards away.

"What is it?" said the major sharply. "Ah! that looks bad;" and he
pressed Mark back under cover.

"Savages?" whispered the lad.

"I'm afraid so. It's a bad sign and a good sign."

Mark looked at him interrogatively.

"Bad sign if they are a fierce lot like the New Guinea men; good sign if
they are peaceable fellows, for it shows that it is quite possible to
live here."

The sight which had caught Mark's attention was a thin cloud of vapour
rising slowly from among some low bushes, and it was evident that there
was a fire and some cooking operation going on.

"Better part of valour is discretion," said the major softly. "Not
going to run away, Mark--soldiers can't do that--but we must retire and
take up fresh ground, my lad, for your father expressly pointed out to
me that we were not cannibals, and that I was not to shoot the human
savage. Keep out of sight. Perhaps we had better return."

They backed away softly, the dog following, and the major whispered:

"The mystery is explained, Mark. It must have been one of those
interesting gentlemen who made that terrific row. His idea of a cooey,
I suppose."

A low growl came from Bruff just then, and they stopped short, the
silence being broken by the dick, dick of the major's gun.

They had on retiring gone a little higher up the slope so as to be more
among the trees, and the result was that they found themselves at the
top of a little ridge and at the edge of the denser growth, so that, as
they paused, they could look down into another part where the trees gave
place to low bushes and glorious ferns, the whole being a glade of
surpassing loveliness, such a spot as might very well be chosen by a
party of simple savages for their home.

The major pressed Mark down, and they cowered among the trees, for they
were evidently going ri