Anyhow there must be a residence near, he was not destined to perish in the bush; but the girl would rush home with a shocking tale of some hideous monster in the paddock, her male relations would come to hunt down that monster.

Nickie had had experience of such hunters; he remembered that they carried guns, and that they were not disposed to delay shooting in order to argue with a monkey about the sacredness of life.
Mr.Crips had a ready mind, and his peculiar career had taught him the necessity of prompt action.

With eager hands he pulled off his monkey skin, rolled it up, and stuffed it into a hollow log, with the head-piece and mask; and then with his singlet he rubbed the make-up off his face, rubbing off a fair amount of hide in his eagerness.

After this he set to work tearing up the grass tufts, and creating evidence of a struggle.

The blood from a cut in his head came in most useful; he made as big a show as possible with it.