"I have been through the jungle and up towards the head of the little river, Sahibs, so as to find out whether it is worth your going up too."
"Well, is it?" cried Harry.
"Oh yes, well worthy," replied Sree. "No one ever goes there to hunt or shoot, and the birds are very tame and beautiful, and the river full of fish."
"Fish!" cried Harry excitedly. "There, I knew we had forgotten something, Phra. Fishing tackle."
"Yes, we must take some."
"I was coming to advise you to get a boat and go up there for two or three days to shoot, fish, and collect."
"Then you are too late, old Sree," cried Harry.
"Too late, Sahib?" said the man, whose countenance looked gloomy from disappointment.
"Yes; we're going for a week in that big boat."
"I am sorry, Sahib," said the man sadly. "I worked hard, and it took long to get through the jungle, and I had to sleep in trees. The Sahib's servant was not neglectful of his master. He is grieved that he is too late."