it.
On looking into it we found that it was formed with the top narrower
than the bottom, and in the centre was stuck a pointed stake. A person
falling in, had he escaped impalement, would have found it impossible,
unaided, to get out again.

"This is a tiger-pit," exclaimed Mr Hooker; "and a very effectual way
of catching a tiger should one attempt to cross it. I really believe
that I have narrowly escaped a fearful death; for see, had I gone
through, I should very probably have fallen on the stake."

After this, as we proceeded, we carefully avoided the spots covered over
by fallen brushwood, lest they should conceal pits of a similar
description. Still Mr Hooker was too eager a naturalist to give up his
search, and, aided by me, quickly filled his boxes and cases. Evening
was coming on, and we were thinking of returning, sorry to leave the
cool shade of the trees for the still hot, open ground, when we saw a
creature at no great distance moving through the jungle.

"What can that be?" I exclaimed.

"A tiger, and it will be as well to put a bullet into my gun in case he
should think fit to follow us. I am told that seldom a day passes that
an unfortunate Chinaman is not carried away by one of these beasts. I
am afraid they are too wary, like rats in England, to be caught in
traps, or there would not be so many of them in the island."

As we walked along I could not help looking over my shoulder every now
and then in expectation of seeing the tiger. Mr Hooker, too, kept his
gun ready for use in case we were pursued. We left the forest, however,
and took our way over the open, dry ground without again catching sight
of the tiger.

We got back to Singapore and returned on board that night, as the ship
was to sail the following morning. Emily turned pale when she heard the
account I gave her of the tiger, and all the party were greatly
interested in hearing the account of Mr Hooker's escape from the
tiger-pit.

The ship's course was now directly through the China Sea--a region in
which every variety of weather is encountered, from a dead calm to a
furious typhoon. The northern end of the Philippine Islands was sighted
on the starboard hand, and afterwards the Bashee Islands to the north of
them.

"There is a large island lies away there on our right hand, called
Formosa," said the captain. "The inhabitants are Chinese. They seem
even more cruel and treacherous than the rest of their countrymen. Not