s of the country.

In spite, however, of the toil the army had to undergo, the men were in
high spirits, the seamen especially laughing and joking as they marched
along. They could carry but a small amount of provisions; and every
article of baggage which could be dispensed with was left behind. In
regard to provisions, they hoped that, on arriving at the next post,
they would be amply provided.

Billy groaned as he went puffing and blowing up the hills.

"I believe, Mr Rogers, that we are worse off than we were when making
our way through Papua."

"I can't agree with you there," answered Tom, laughing. "We found it
pretty hard work, to be sure, crossing the mountains, and where for
several days we had to go on short allowance of food and water, but I
expect that things will mend as we advance, when we shall get into a
more fertile region."

Tom was right. At length the army emerged into a broader but still
barren portion of the pass, the road winding steeply for several miles
along a snowy water-course, whence they passed over a plain, which, from
the number of guinea fowls found there, obtained the name of "Guinea
Fowl Plain." Here were seen tulip trees of enormous size, and graceful
acacias, while the cactus, with its stiff, prickly leaves, grew in
profusion among the rocks. Antelopes frequently bounded across the
road, and it was said at no great distance elephants and wild boars were
to be found. Birds of all sizes, some of the most gorgeous plumage,
flashed here and there in the sunlight. Monkeys and baboons appeared
scrambling among the rocks, or leaping from tree to tree, jabbering at
the strangers visiting their territory.

"Those beasts remind me of Papua, though they have a very different
appearance," observed Billy. "We should astonish some of our friends if
we were to shoot and cook a big monkey for dinner. I shouldn't mind
eating one, I know."

The monkeys, however, were generally too wary to come within gunshot;
and Billy had not an opportunity of astonishing his friends, which he
certainly would have done. The country through which they passed
continued rugged and barren in the extreme. The villages consisted of
groups of mud hovels, generally pitched on high ground, originally for
defence. The inhabitants were tall, with fine figures, the men dressed
in a single robe of cotton, seldom washed, their black hair plaited and
covered with rancid butter. Their arms generally consisted of