d prepared for the
encounter, watching the creature's glaring eyes. I saw the danger of my
faithful friend and fired at the head of the savage animal. My shot was
more effectual than John's. It fell back dead. John and the recluse
came hurrying up.

"We should never leave a treacherous foe behind us," observed the
latter. "However, he is harmless now. Come on. You have a long walk
before you; though, for myself, I can find a lodging in the forest,
suited to my taste, whenever I please."

The recluse, as in our former walk, led the way. For a considerable
distance he went on without again speaking. There was much that was
strange about him, yet his mind seemed perfectly clear, and I could not
help hoping that we might be the means of persuading him to return to
civilised society. He walked forward so rapidly that we sometimes had
difficulty in keeping up with him; and I remarked, more than I had done
before, his strange appearance, as he flourished his sharp axe, now
striking on one side, now on the other, at the sipos and vines which
interfered with his progress. He was dressed merely in a coarse cotton
shirt and light trousers secured round the waist by a sash, while a
broad-brimmed straw hat sheltered his head. His complexion was burned
almost red; his features were thin, and his eyes sunken; but no tinge of
grey could be perceived in his hair, which hung wild and streaming over
his shoulders.

True, after going on for some time patiently, began to hunt about on
either side according to his custom. Presently he gave forth one of his
loud cheery barks, and off he bounded after a creature which had come
out of the hollow of a tree. Calling to John, I made chase, getting my
gun ready to fire. The ground just there was bare, and I caught sight
of an animal the size of a small pig, but its whole back and head were
covered with scales. In spite of its awkward appearance, it made good
play over the ground, and even True, with all his activity, could
scarcely keep up with it. It turned its head here and there, looking
apparently for a hole in which to seek shelter. He, however, made
desperate efforts to overtake it. The base of a large tree impeded its
progress, when, just as he was about to spring on it, it suddenly coiled
itself up into a round ball. True kept springing round and round it,
wishing to get hold of the creature, but evidently finding no vulnerable
part. I ran forward and seized it, when