r along
further to the southward, or else to the north of this island; and
though I have seen a few passing in the horizon, none have come near
enough to distinguish my signal."

From the way the stranger spoke, I saw at once that he was a man of
superior education, in spite of his strange costume.

"Perhaps, sir," I said, "you would like to come on board and see the
owner, Mr Hooker. I am sure he would be delighted to do what he can to
assist you."

"Hooker!" he exclaimed. "Hooker, did you say, young man? Of course I
will. If he is the Hooker I know--and from what you say about him, I
have little doubt about the matter--I shall be delighted to see him; and
I am very sure he will do all he can to assist me.--Stay, however," he
said. "If you will wait a little while, I will accompany you. I must,
however, first feed my family, as I may be absent for some time, and
they are not accustomed to go without their provisions."

The noise as we passed the house had been considerable. As the stranger
approached it, however, the cries with which his feathered and
four-footed friends greeted him were almost deafening. I might have
added, no-footed friends, for he had huge pythons, and snakes of all
sorts;--tigers, and other wild beasts; and birds, from long-legged
storks down to the smallest of the feathered tribes. He and his man
Friday were occupied some time in feeding all these numerous creatures,
according to their respective wants. They all appeared to know him, and
acknowledge him as their master; and he must have employed considerable
time in taming many of them. I will describe them by-and-by.

At length the operation of feeding them was over, and he expressed
himself ready to accompany us to the boat. He addressed a few words to
his man, Tanda, he called him, adding, as he walked away,--"Don't fear,
my lad; I am not going to desert you.--He does not understand that, by
the by;" and, turning round again, he spoke to the man in a strange
language. He put up his hand to look at the brig. "Well," he said, as
he stepped into the boat, "I scarcely expected ever to see a European
vessel come near this island."

All hands able to appear on deck were collected at the gangway to gaze
at us as we approached. They certainly did regard our companion with
looks of astonishment as he stepped up the side.

"Mr Hooker is below, sir," I said. "I will let him know that you are
here."

I ran down into the cabin, eag