The major lit his cigar, Mr Gregory examined the sand to see if it contained gold, Mr Morgan tried to find crystals among the pebbles, Mark gazed up at the patches of ferns and orchids among the branches of the trees, and Small and Billy Widgeon took a great deal of interest in the various pools they passed, but found no fish, for at their coming the occupants of the pools took fright and stirred up the sand and mud so that the water became discoloured.
"And I lays as they're eels," said Billy Widgeon, as he carried on a discussion with Small.
"And I says they're big jacks or pikes," replied the boatswain; "but I want to know wheer they're going to feed the beasts." "Feed what beasts ?" said Mark, who was listening to their dispute and gazing down into a good-sized pool where the water was still in motion.
"These here beasts, sir," said Small with a grin.

"All on us.

These canvas bags is heavy, and I want to see the weight o' the wittles distributed.

Much easier to carry that way, and the bottles pitched overboard." "Hist!" whispered Billy Widgeon, who was peering through some bushes where the little river made a curve.
"Whatch yer found, Billy ?" "Don't make a row, and come and look here, Mr Mark, sir.

Here's such a whacking great effet, same as used to be in our pond at home." Mark hurried to his side, followed by Small.
"Why, it's a 'gator," the latter said as he reached the spot where there was an extensive pool, quite undisturbed, for the screen of bushes had hidden it from the passers-by.
"A crocodile!" said Mark as he gazed excitedly into the clear water at the plainly defined shape of the little saurian, for it was not above four feet long.
"Wait a minute," whispered Billy; "I'll give him such a wonner in the skull," and picking up a heavy piece of stone from the many lying in the half-dry river-bed he pitched it with fairly good aim just above the basking reptile.
There was a dull plunge; the water seemed to be all alive for a few minutes, swirling and eddying, and sending rings to the edge, and then it began to subside, but it was discoloured now, and evident that the one crocodile they had seen was not without companions.
"Now, it's my 'pinion," said Billy, "that if you'd come fishing instead o' shooting, and rigged up rods and lines and tried for these here things in these ponds, you'd have had some sport." "But what would you have baited with ?" said Mark, laughing.
"I d'know," said Billy Widgeon.