the gavial sometimes attains the extraordinary dimensions of
eight to nine yards.

Sincere was the gratitude of Captain Redwood for the address and courage
displayed by the Malay in rescuing his daughter, and his regret was
great that he had no means of rewarding his faithful follower.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note 1. As many as one hundred and twenty.

CHAPTER TEN.

BURROWING BIRDS.

The fruit diet, however delicious, was not strengthening. Saloo said
so, and Murtagh agreed with him. The Irishman declared he would rather
have a meal of plain "purtatees and buttermilk," though a bit of bacon,
or even ship's "junk," would be more desirable.

All agreed that a morsel of meat--whether salted or fresh--would be
highly beneficial; indeed, almost necessary to the complete restoration
of their strength.

How was animal food to be procured? The forest, so far as Captain
Redwood had explored it, seemed altogether untenanted by living
creature. He had now been tramping for upwards of an hour among the
trees without seeing either bird or quadruped. And although there were
fish in the stream, and should have been shell-fish along the sea-beach,
neither Murtagh nor Saloo had succeeded in procuring any. A keen
craving for animal food had grown upon them, and they were not without
some regretful thoughts at having permitted the dead gavial to drift out
to sea. Even from the carcass of the saurian they might have obtained
steaks that, if not very dainty or delicate, would at least have been
eatable.

Discouraged by their want of success, and still feeling feeble, they did
not go out again that day, but remained resting under the tree.

While they were munching their evening meal--of durions, as the dinner
had been--the Malay commenced discoursing upon eggs, which set them all
thinking about them. If they only had a few, it would be just the very
thing to nourish and give them strength. But where were the eggs to be
obtained? This was the question asked him by the Irishman, who could at
that moment have eaten a dozen, boiled, fried, poached, in omelette, or
even, as he said himself, have "sucked" them.

"Iggs indade!" he exclaimed, as Saloo made mention of the article; "I'd
loike to see one, an could ate a basketful of them, if they were as big
as swans'. What puts iggs in your head, nigger?"

"Eggs no long way off," rejoined the Malay. "Plenty egg if we kn