I began by tying foot of tree the cords that held the legs; then making the dogs seize him again ears, I caught hold mouth, and with sharp knife perforated the nostril, and quickly passed cord opening This cord was as my rein, to guide the animal The operation was successful; and, blood ceased to flow, the cord, uniting the two ends, poor suffering creature, completely subdued, followed me without resistance

unwilling to abandon the whole buffalo I had killed, excellent meat; I therefore cut out the tongue, and best parts loin, and covered them well with salt, we had taken provision I then carefully skinned the four legs, remembering American hunters use these skins for boots, being remarkably soft and flexible We permitted the dogs to feast remainder; and while they were enjoying themselves, we washed ourselves, and sat down under tree to rest and refresh ourselves But the poor beasts had soon many guests at their banquet Clouds of birds of prey came from every part; an incessant combat was kept up; no sooner was one troop of brigands satisfied, than another succeeded; and soon all that remained poor buffalo bones I noticed amongst these ravenous birds the royal vulture, an elegant bird, remarkable for brilliant collar of down easily have killed robbers, but it useless to destroy for mere curiosity, and I preferred employing our time in cutting, with small saw we had brought, gigantic reeds that grew round us We cut several very thick ones, which make excellent vessels when separated joints; but I perceived that Jack was cutting some of small dimensions, and I inquired if going Pandean pipe, to celebrate his triumphal return buffalo

"No," said he; "I don't recollect that Robinson Crusoe amused himself with music island; but thought of something useful to mamma cutting these reeds moulds candles "

"An excellent thought, my dear boy ! " said I; "and if even we break our moulds in getting out the candles, which I suspect , where they grow, and can come for more "

We collected all our reeds in bundles, and then set out The calf, intimidated dogs, and galled rein, went on tolerably well We crossed the narrow pass rocks, and here our dogs killed large jackal coming from her den rock The furious animals then entered the den, followed by Jack, who saved, with difficulty, young cubs, the others being immediately worried pretty little gold-coloured creature, size of cat Jack petitioned earnestly it to bring up; and him happy by granting his request

mean time I had tied the calf to low tree, which I discovered thorny dwarf palm, which grows quickly, extremely useful for fences It bears an oblong fruit, size of pigeon's egg, is extracted an oil an excellent substitute for butter I determined to return for some young plants palm to plant at Tent House

almost night when we joined our family; and endless were the questions the sight buffalo produced, and great boasting of Jack the dauntless compelled to lower his pride little by an unvarnished statement, though him much credit coolness and resolution; and, supper-time arriving, my wife had time me what had passed while we expedition

* * * * *

CHAPTER XXV

My wife began by saying they idle in my absence They had collected wood, and made torches night Fritz and Ernest had even cut down an immense sago-palm, seventy feet high, intending to extract its precious pith; but this they unable to accomplish alone, and waited assistance But while they were engaged employment, troop of monkeys had broken tent and pillaged and destroyed everything; they had drunk or overturned the milk, and carried off or spoiled all our provisions; and even injured the palisade I had erected round the tent, took them an hour, after they returned, to repair the damage Fritz had made also beautiful capture, in nest he had discovered rocks at Cape Disappointment superb bird, and, though very young, quite feathered Ernest had pronounced it the eagle of Malabar, and I confirmed his assertion; and species of eagle large, and require much food, I advised him to train it as falcon, to chase other birds this opportunity to announce that henceforward must attend own live stock, or they set at liberty, mamma having sufficient to manage in her own charge

We then made fire of green wood, smoke we placed the buffalo-meat we had brought home, leaving it during the night, perfectly cured We had had some for supper, and thought it excellent The young buffalo was beginning to graze, and we gave him little milk to-night, jackal Fritz had taken the precaution the eyes eagle, and tying it fast leg to branch, it rested very tranquilly We then retired to our mossy beds, to recruit our strength labours of another day

At break of day we rose, made light breakfast, and about the signal of departure, when my wife communicated the difficulty they had had in cutting down the palm-tree, valuable provision that obtained with little trouble she was right, and decided to remain here another day; for no trifling undertaking to split up tree seventy feet long I consented the more readily, as , after removing the useful pith trunk, obtain two large spouts or channels to conduct the water from Jackal River kitchen garden

Such tools had we carried place where the tree lay We first sawed off the head; then, hatchet making an opening at each end, we took wedges and mallets, wood being tolerably soft, after four hours' labour, we succeeded in splitting it completely When parted, we pressed the pith hands, the whole into one division trunk, and began our paste At one end spout we nailed graters, through which we intended to force the paste, the round seeds My little bakers set vigorously to work, some pouring water pith, while the rest mixed it into paste When sufficiently worked, I pressed it strongly with my hand against the grater; the farinaceous parts passed easily holes, while the ligneous part, consisting of splinters of wood, &c, was left behind This we threw into heap, hoping mushrooms might spring My wife now carefully spread the grains on sailcloth, sun, to dry them I also formed some vermicelli, by giving more consistence paste, and forcing it holes in little pipes My wife promised , Dutch cheese, us dish equal to Naples maccaroni We were now contented; at obtain more sago by cutting down tree, and we were anxious home our water-pipes We spent the rest day in loading the cart utensils halves tree We retired to our hut at sunset, and slept in peace

The next morning the whole caravan began to move at an early hour The buffalo, harnessed cart, side nurse, the cow, took the place lost ass, and began his apprenticeship as beast of draught We took the same road return, that carry away the candle-berries vessels of India-rubber The vanguard was composed of Fritz and Jack, who pioneered our way, by cutting down the underwood road cart Our water-pipes, being very long, somewhat impeded our progress; but we happily reached the candle-berry trees without accident, and placed our sacks cart find more than quart caoutchouc gum; but it sufficient first experiment, and I carried it off