les, when they
reached a stream, arched over by tall trees, from which hung numberless
flowers, bearing climbers of great beauty and of varied and brilliant
colours. Many of them were convolvulus-shaped, and of prodigious size,
some white and yellow, spotted with red, others of a pale violet. There
were scarlet flowers, blue, and sulphur-coloured flowers, and others of
similar tints, striped and spotted in the most curious way. But far
more interesting to the hungry travellers were the numberless
water-fowl, which flew up and down the stream, and Tom and Desmond in a
few minutes had knocked over several kingfishers, storks, and ducks,
amply sufficient to supply all hands with food.

The two natives had, in the mean time, been searching for honey and
nuts, of which they brought in a supply. The latter grew on some
enormous trees at no great distance. The natives had picked them up
from the ground to which they had fallen, having been bitten off by the
parrots. The outer shell was black and hard, about the size and shape
of a lemon, and the kernel, enclosed in a thick inner covering, was
white and hard, resembling chestnuts when roasted.

"Hurrah!" cried Billy. "We shall run no risk of starving, at all
events. These nuts will serve us for bread, and with the honey will
stay our appetites."

The fire was quickly blazing up, and the birds, plucked and spitted,
placed before it. A sharp look-out was kept on every side for natives,
snakes, tigers, or any other wild beasts which might be tempted to pay
them a visit. Tom urged his friends to keep together as much as
possible, and always to have their arms ready. After a good rest they
again pushed on, and encamped in the evening on the bank of a large
river, no doubt the one up which they had come in the canoe.

While Casey and Peter were lighting the fire, the two Papuans were
looking out for honey, and Tom and Desmond were shooting some birds for
supper, Billy went down to the water to fill a large gourd which Pipes
had procured for them. Just as he was about to dip it in, a long snout
appeared above the surface, the possessor of which--a huge crocodile--
made directly at him. Billy, throwing down the gourd, scampered off.
Fortunately for him the monster stopped for an instant to pick up the
gourd, which it crushed in its huge jaws, and thus Billy was able to
increase his distance.

Pat Casey and Peter, on hearing his cries, started up with their rifles,
an