The doctor told him to take the birds home, and then to follow them. They several times caught sight, as they went along, of some beautiful birds of paradise, which, however, kept too high up in the trees to be shot by arrows.
“We are out of luck this morning,” said the doctor, when they had gone some way without killing a bird.
“Don’t you think that if we could make some bird-lime we might have a better chance of catching the smaller birds?” asked Walter.
“No doubt about it, if we could get the ingredients, and a bait to attract the birds,” answered the doctor. “The idea is worth considering. Keep your mind at work, my lad; you may be, at all events, of great use in our present circumstances. I have known instances where shipwrecked crews have starved when they might have supported their lives, simply because they were too ignorant or too dull to exert themselves and search diligently for food. An Australian savage will live in the wilds where the white man will perish. But then the savage knows the habits of all the living creatures in the neighbourhood, and the roots and herbs, and indeed every vegetable substance which will afford him nourishment. Had we more skill as marksmen, and did we know the haunts of the animals frequenting these woods, I have no doubt that we should have before this abundantly supplied ourselves with food of all sorts. We are, however, improving, and I have no longer any anxiety on the subject.”
While the doctor was speaking, Walter had been intently looking towards the branch of a large tree seven or eight feet above the ground.
“Oh, Mr Lawrie,” he exclaimed, “what is that terrific monster? If it should run at us it will kill us. The head looks to me like that of a crocodile; but do such creatures exist on land? Shall we attack it, or will it be better to get out of its way?” he asked, quickly recovering his courage, and bringing his spear ready for battle. Walter’s sharp eyes had detected what Mr Lawrie had before failed to see in the gloom of the forest.
“If we are not cautious, it will be getting out of our way, which I should be sorry for,” answered the surgeon with a calmness which surprised his companion. “That creature is a species of iguana, some few of which inhabit the East, though the larger number are found in South America and the West India Islands. They are not very formidable antagonists, and are more likely to run away than attack us. If we had a good strong noose, we might throw it over the head of the animal, and soon haul it down from its perch, where it at present seems to be sleeping.”
While they were speaking, Nub overtook them, and was highly pleased when they pointed out to him the hideous-looking lizard.
“Look, I brought dis,” he said, producing a piece of rope. “Now I go and slip it ober de head of de iguana; and when I pull him down, you pin him to de ground with your spears.”
The doctor and Walter agreed to follow Nub’s advice, and cautiously approached the sleeping brachylophus, as the doctor called the creature. It looked still more formidable as they approached; for it had a long pointed tail, large claws, a row of spines down its back, and numerous teeth in its long jaws. Lumps and excrescences of various sizes added to the hideous appearance of its head.