A FAR ADVENTURE 315 



The disappointment to the members of the ex- 

 pedition was heartbreaking, but to none more than 

 Shan. He had anticipated the opportunity of 

 photographing one of the finest and most complete 

 bird rookeries of the world — now, it was a dev- 

 astated ruin. 



" I 'd like to have those plume-hunters in that cis- 

 tern," he said. "I'd starve 'em just long enough 

 so that they'd feel it the worst possible and then 

 skin them alive." 



The Feather Man made no reply, but his hand 

 wandered in the direction of his hip pocket. 



A day's investigation of the island showed the 

 extent of the ravages. So thorough had been the 

 devastation that the western university men were 

 disinclined to stay. A few photographs were 

 taken, a few specimens shot for their museum and 

 then the expedition was ready to go. 



Shan took his old friend aside. 



"Mr. Feather Man," he said, "we've come an 

 awful long way, and I've spent almost every cent 

 I 've got on the voyage. If I go back now, I 've got 

 nothing to show for the trip. Mr. Baker would un- 

 derstand all right, but, after all, failure is failure. 

 I'm here, now, I've got the cameras, I have plenty 

 of plates, and the expedition brought food for a 



