the
others to the same singular spectacle.

It was that of an egg rolling, as it were, spontaneously over the
ground? And not only one egg; for, as they continued to gaze a while,
the whole lot, as if taking their cue from it, commenced imitating the
movement, some with a gentle, others a more violent motion! Murtagh
sprang back affrighted, and stood with his red hair on end, gazing at
the odd and inexplicable phenomenon. The others were as much puzzled as
he--all except the Malay, who at a glance understood the philosophy of
the movement.

"Young malee inside," he cried in explanation. "We no eat egg, we get
chickee. Wait little minnit. You him see come out full featha."

Truly enough the "chicks" did come out, not as down-covered helpless
creatures, but pults in full plumage, as Saloo had predicted: at all
events, full enough to enable them to fly; for as the shells one after
another commenced crackling--burst outward by the young birds'
strength--each showed a perfect fledgling; that, springing forth from
the shivered encasement, like Jack out of his box, at once flapped its
little wings, and essayed short flights over the surface of the sand.

So much were the spectators taken by surprise, that one and all of the
new-born but completely equipped birds, would have winged their way into
the forest and been lost, had it not been for Saloo, who, accustomed to
such transformations, was in no way discomposed, but preserved his
coolness and equanimity.

Fortified by these, and armed with the boat-hook, which he had suddenly
seized, he struck down the precocious chicks one after another, and put
an end to their aspiring flights by laying them lifeless upon the sand.

In the end it was neither eggs nor omelettes, but tender, delicate
"squabs" the castaways had for their prandial repast.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

A GRAND TREE-CLIMBER.

The castaways having made a repast on chicks instead of eggs, as they
had been expecting, were for the time satisfied, so far as concerned
their appetites. But aware that these would ere long recommence their
craving, they could not be contented to remain inactive. It would be
necessary to procure some other kind of provisions, and, if possible, a
permanent stock on which they could rely until ready to set out on their
journey, with a surplus to carry them some way along it.

Although in Borneo there are many kinds of strange birds, and some of
them large ones, they are not to