tay
where they were while I went in search of him. I followed in the
direction in which Tim had last seen him, and soon found myself among
lofty trees growing at the bottom of a deep glen, already shrouded in
the shades of evening. I shouted out Chumbo's name; and in a short time
my ears were saluted by a chorus, amid which I thought I distinguished
Chumbo's voice crying for help. I hurried on, and soon saw him before
me, struggling with a large bird, which he had grasped round the neck,
trying to keep it at arm's length, while it endeavoured to attack him
with its talons and beak. Numberless other birds of the same
description were perched on the boughs of the neighbouring trees,
apparently watching the fight. I was afraid to risk a shot at the one
with which Chumbo was engaged in combat, lest I might injure him; I
therefore rushed forward and dealt it a blow on the head with the butt
of my rifle, which fortunately stunned it, and enabled Chumbo to cast it
from him to a distance--just at the moment that one of its claws had
reached his legs.

I then took aim at one of the birds perched on the boughs, which I
happily brought to the ground.

"Now run, Chumbo! run! before the rest of the creatures come down upon
us," I shouted out.

"Let me get hold of this one first, Massa Barry," he answered; and
seizing his late antagonist by the neck he dragged it along, while I
treated the one I had just shot after the same manner.

The report of my gun at first startled them, but on their discovering
that no other bird of their community had suffered, they flew after us,
uttering loud shrieks. I defended myself by using my gun as a cudgel;
while Chumbo, picking up a thick stick, fought them bravely, swinging it
round and round his head so that none of them ventured within its reach.
So persevering were their attacks that they gave me no time to load, or
I might have brought another to the ground; as it was, I had
considerable difficulty in protecting my head from their sharp beaks and
talons. Still, we would not let go our prey, and each time we beat them
off we ran on, so as to gain a farther distance; till at length, after
sweeping round our heads several times, they flew back to finish the
carrion feast at which Chumbo had disturbed them, and we carried off
their two dead companions in triumph.

I knew the birds, from the rich scarlet on their heads, their
lemon-coloured necks, the satiny white of their backs, tinged