ler wild
animals--such as black bears, boars, peccaries, and tiger-cats. He had
numerous trophies of his skill to exhibit. No wonder that Tim was proud
of him. He had greatly the advantage of me as a sportsman; but, though
our father and mother had done their best to instruct him, he was sadly
behind-hand in general knowledge and book-learning, such as I had had
the opportunity of gaining at school. Notwithstanding this, we got on
very well together; and there was no fear, I hoped, of our ever falling
out. He looked up to me as superior to him in many points, and I
regarded him with admiration for his courage and hardihood and excellent
temper.

We had proceeded for some way along the banks of the lake, when we
caught sight of a boat in the distance, apparently crossing to reach a
point ahead of us. We could distinguish four people in the boat, which
came on rather slowly. This was accounted for when we made out several
horses swimming in the water astern. The lake was bordered by a fringe
of reeds, which in some places grew some distance into the water, over
which water-fowl of various species winged their flight,--while we
observed several pink-tinted flamingoes stalking with long legs in the
shallows: and as we were watching the boat, a large flight of these
beautiful birds came swooping along through the air.

Being curious to know who was in the boat, we rode slowly on towards the
landing-place, from whence, Gerald told me, the road led past the end of
the lake to our house. As we reached the spot the boat approached; and
looking at the only passenger it contained, I at once recognised the
countenance of Dr Stutterheim, while his canine friend Jumbo was
standing in the bow of the boat. "What, doctor! is that you?" I
shouted out.

"Ah, my young friend, I am very glad to see you," he exclaimed, standing
up and waving his hand. "I am coming to take advantage of your
invitation. But I will tell you all about it when I get on shore."

In another minute the boat touched the bank; when the doctor, leaping on
dry ground, dragged two of his horses out of the water by the long reins
which secured them--a black man, whom I found to be his attendant,
leading the third. Shaking hands warmly with the doctor, I introduced
Gerald, while Jumbo acknowledged me as an acquaintance by leaping up and
energetically whisking his tail. The boatmen then assisted in loading
the baggage-animals with several chests the docto