and listening to a learned dissertation on spiders in
general from Quashy, as he afterwards walked on.

Good fortune seemed to smile on them that day, for they had not advanced
a hundred yards further when two large jaguars crossed their path. It
is probable that they did not see the hunters, for they did not look up,
but, gliding cat-like into the jungle, quickly disappeared.

Perhaps it was fortunate that Lawrence and his man recovered their
presence of mind when too late, for if they had fired hastily and only
wounded the creatures, it might have brought to an abrupt end their
terrestrial career. As it was. Quashy recovered with a gasp, drew his
two double-barrelled pistols, which in his eagerness he neglected to
cock, and, with one in each hand, rushed yelling after the jaguars.
Lawrence cocked his gun and followed at a smart, though more sedate,
pace. Leetle Cub, who probably thought them both fools, ran after them
with a broad grin on his dingy countenance.

We need scarcely say that the pursuit was useless. Quashy returned in a
few minutes with labouring breath, and streaming at every pore.
Lawrence, scarcely less blown, sat down on a fallen tree and laughed
when his lungs permitted. Of course he was joined by the sympathetic
black, echoed by the small boy, and imitated--not badly--by a number of
parrots which wisely availed themselves of the rare opportunity to learn
a lesson from man!

As they advanced the path became more encumbered and difficult to
traverse, so they determined to return. Their little guide, however,
seemed to object very strongly, and made wonderful gesticulations in his
efforts to induce them to go on. Lawrence, however, remained firm.
Seeing at last that his followers had determined to rebel, the Cub gave
up trying to influence them, scooped a quantity of wild honey out of a
hole in a tree, and, sitting down in a half-sulky mood, sought to
console himself by eating the same.

"Come, we'll follow you in that, at all events," said Lawrence, seating
himself beside the child and regaling himself with the sweet food.
Quashy followed his example with right good-will.

When their modest meal was over they returned to the river. The little
boy, on nearing it, ran anxiously forward in advance, and soon they
perceived by his frantic gesticulations and shouts that something of
interest awaited them there.

"He's cotched!" cried Quashy, and darted off as if shot from a catapult.

Lawr