CHAPTER XXVIII. 



THE SECRETARY-BIRD. 



^Jpf HEN the time had come for hunting the serpent, Jack Harvey, to the sur- 

 VlJ prise of his friends, said he had concluded not to go with them. It was his 

 wish to make some investigations that he thought advisable, because of 

 the craft that had floated down stream and lodged near camp. 



You will perceive that there was something congenial in this work, for it was on 

 a line with his training in the Southwestern section of his own country. The Texan 

 was an Indian fighter who had been on some of the severest campaigns, and he 

 had learned the art of trailing an enemy and of reading " signs," as they are called, 

 that are invisible to ordinary eyes. 



The hunters had gone into camp in this remote section of the Dark Continent 

 with the intention of staying several weeks, if not months. They had taken the 

 utmost precaution against peril, but, after all, the real danger which impended 

 over them was that from their own kind. 



It was for the purpose of learning the truth about the wild men that Jack Harvey 

 decided to take the time, which his companions devoted to the boa-constrictor, to 

 delving into the matter. The readiness with which he had solved the cause of the 

 raft lying against the bank proved his skill in that direction, and inspired his friends 

 with such confidence, that they were glad, without exception, to learn his purpose 

 in staying behind, or rather in going off on an expedition of his own. 



" I want you to remember one thing," said he, when they were about to separate: 

 " it may take me not only all the afternoon, but the night; so don't fret if I don't 

 put in an appearance before some time to-morrow." 



His friends opened their eyes. They had not yet been separated a single night 

 from each other, and the prospect was not pleasant ; but Jack had a reason for 

 saying what he did, and none was so competent to understand that, in such an un- 

 dertaking as he was about to enter upon, no calculation could be made regarding 

 the time required. 



So with pleasant words they parted. Jack headed up the stream, mounted on 

 his mustang, and with his favorite lasso coiled at his saddle. The business on 

 which he was engaged promised little use for the rope, but it had done him so many 

 good turns that he was unwilling to go without it. 



Avoiding the weeds near the river, the Texan followed its course, keeping far 

 enough from the bank to escape entangling himself in any of the natural obstruc- 

 tions in his way. 



Since the ranger had made previous investigations in this section, it was not 

 until he had gone a half mile that the scenery became new to him. 



162 " 



