“Laying what, doctor—eggs?” said a young officer.
“No, sir; a stick about the back of impertinent puppies,” cried the doctor, angrily. “I said lying—lying in wait near the bird’s haunts.”
“Oh, I beg your pardon,” said the young officer; and the doctor went off in dudgeon.
“I say, Thompson,” said the major, “don’t you be poorly, whatever you do, until the doctor has got over it, or he’ll give you such a dose.”
“I’ll take care, sir,” said the young man; and they went on chatting about other things.
Chapter Fifty Six.
Doctor Bolter’s Bird.
Meanwhile the doctor followed his Malay boy—as he was called, though he was really a man—through a narrow path right away from the camp and into the jungle.