The Malay held it close for the lads to examine, which, after learning its deadly character, they were not particularly eager to do; but the native laughed, and seemed to think very little of the danger, ending by placing the reptile’s neck upon the fallen tree, and decapitating it with one clean cut of the knife.
A halt was made here, and a hearty lunch was disposed of; after which, feeling rested and comparatively cool, they started once more, and before long the first shot was had at a blue-billed gaper, a lovely bird, with azure and golden bill, and jetty-black, white, and crimson plumage.
“One for the doctor!” exclaimed Tom Long; and the beautiful bird was safely stowed away.
Ali next brought down a paroquet, with long delicate tail, and delicious sunset hues blushing upon its plumage of pearly grey green.
Bob followed, with a shot at a green chatterer, a lovely little bird, all rich green and black, with a handsome crest.
Next followed sundry misses, and then with varying fortune they secured a dozen really beautifully-plumaged birds for the doctor.
“And now,” exclaimed Bob, “I think we ought to get something for the pot.”
“For the pot?” said Ali, looking puzzled, for anything verging on sporting slang was to him as so much Greek.
“I mean for cooking and eating.”
Ali laughed, and said something to his followers, who led the way on to a more densely wooded part nearer the river, whose proximity was indicated by the change in the character of the vegetation.