“Whurroo! phwat the divil do yez call that anyway?” cried Barney, wildly.
All viewed the huge bird in surprise.
As they drew nearer, the giant auk made off with strides of tremendous sort.
Soon it had disappeared in the woods bordering the river.
But the greatest surprise of all was yet in store.
Before the reed swamp had been passed, Frank’s attention was claimed by what looked like a huge pile of some sort of stuff upon the shore.
But this pile suddenly began to move, and then to his horror Frank beheld the most hideous reptile he had ever seen.
It was a cross between an alligator and a frog, with huge, glittering scales and a terrible pair of jaws.
It looked like a mammoth specimen of the basilisk.
As the boat passed, its greenish eyes gleamed balefully and all shivered.