CHAPTER SIXTEEN.
AN ENEMY IN THE AIR.
Though the old hen hornbill, after her long and seemingly forced period of incubation, might not prove such a tender morsel, they were nevertheless rejoiced at this accession to their now exhausted larder, and the pilot at once set about plucking her, while Murtagh kindled a fresh fire.
While they were thus engaged, Henry, who had greatly admired the ingenuity displayed by Saloo in the construction of his singular ladder, bethought him of ascending it.

He was led to this exploit partly out of curiosity to try what such a climb would be like; but more from a desire to examine the odd nest so discovered--for to him, as to most boys of his age, a bird's nest was a peculiarly attractive object.

He thought that Saloo had not sufficiently examined the one first plundered, and that there might be another bird or an egg behind.

He was not naturalist enough to know--what the ex-pilot's old Sumatran experience had long ago taught him--that the hornbill only lays one egg, and brings forth but a single chick.

Whether or no, he was determined to ascend and satisfy himself.
He had no fear of being able to climb the tree-ladder.