Whether the little creatures understood or no, they chattered loudly for a few moments more, and then, running to the end of a branch, which bent beneath their weight, they dropped to the ground, and galloped off to the next tree, each with his peculiar curling tail high in air.
The guide’s advice was taken respecting the pieces, and, in addition to his cartridge-pouch, each mounted a strong hunting-knife, one that, while being handy for chopping wood or cutting a way through creepers and tangling vines, would prove a formidable weapon of offence or defence against the attack of any wild animal.
“That’s your sort,” said Shaddy, smiling as he saw Rob step out of the boat with his piece under his arm. “Puts me in mind of handling my first gun, when I was ’bout your age, sir, or a bit older. No, no, don’t carry it that way, my lad; keep your muzzle either right up or right down.”
“Well, that is down,” said Rob pettishly, for he felt conscious, and wanted to appear quite at ease, and as if he were in the habit of carrying a rifle; consequently he looked as if he had never held one before in his life.
“Ay, it’s down enough to put a bullet in anybody’s knees.”
“No, it isn’t, Shaddy, for it’s a shot-gun, and has no bullet in it.”
“I know, lad, one o’ them useful guns with a left-hand bore as’ll carry a bullet if you like. More down. Wound close at hand from charge o’ shot’s worse than one from a bullet.”
“Because it makes so many wounds?” said Rob.
“Nay, my lad; because at close quarters it only makes one, and a big, ragged one that’s bad to heal. That’s better. Now, if it goes off, it throws up the earth and shoots the worms, while if you hold it well up it only shoots the stars.—Water boils.”
Breakfast followed—a delightful alfresco meal, with the silver river gliding by, birds twittering, piping, screaming, and cooing all around, and monkeys chattering and screeching excitedly at having their sanctuary invaded; but they were quite tame enough to drop down from the trees and pick up a piece of biscuit, banana, or orange when thrown far enough. But this was not till they felt satisfied that they were not being watched, when the coveted treasure was seized and borne off with a chattering cry of triumph, the actions of the odd little creatures taking up a good deal of Rob’s time which might have been devoted to his breakfast.