THE ORANG-OUTANG. 121 



one enemy we may be able to cope, and then there is a 

 chance that he may lose the scent." 



When I asked him again where the animal was, — for 

 I dared not raise my own head to look, — he replied that 

 he was still coming straight toward us, and 1 saw that 

 a meeting was inevitable and made my preparations 

 accordingly. 



I took my rifle from Thursday and loaded it with an 

 explosive ball, and gave him my hunting-piece instead. 



"Now then, Thursday," said I, "listen to my instruc- 

 tions. The Dyak says the crocodile is sure to find us. 

 I shall let him get within ten yards of us, and then I 

 shall fire at whatever vulnerable part I can, — his eye or 

 his belly. Of course I may miss him, or the bullet may 

 glance off his back without wounding him." 



The black's eyes rolled with horror. 



" Then, without an instant's hesitation and yet without 

 haste, you, who must stand just behind me, must take 

 my rifle and hand me my other gun for a second shot. 

 Do yon understand?" 



"Perfectly." 



"And I can depend on you?" 



"Till death." 



" We will try to make it less bad than that, and your 

 courage shall meet its reward." 



I knew what he said was true, for the fellow had been de- 

 voted to me ever since I saved his life in the jungle when 

 the gorilla grappled him, and I felt I could rely upon him. 



