CHAPTER ELEVEN.
HOW JACK PENNY WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH HIMSELF.
It was intensely hot when we started again, the heat seeming to be steamy, and not a breath of air to fan our cheeks; but we trudged on for a time without adventure, till all at once a butterfly of such lovely colours flashed across our path, that it proved too much for Jack Penny, who laid down his gun, snatched off his hat, and went in pursuit.
We could not go on and leave him; so we stopped to rest, and watch him as he was hopping and bounding along through a tolerably open sunlit part, full of growth of the most dazzling green.

Now he neared the insect; now it dashed off again, and led him a tremendous chase, till, just as the doctor shouted to him to return, we saw him make a dab down with his hat and then disappear.
"He has got it," I said; for I could not help feeling interested in the chase; but I felt annoyed again directly, as the doctor said coldly: "Yes: he seems to have caught his prize, Joe; but we must defer these sports till our work is done." Just then we saw Jack Penny rise up and turn towards us.

To hide my vexation I shouted to him to make haste, and he began to trot towards us, his long body bending and swaying about as he ran.
Then he jumped and jumped again, and the doctor shaded his eyes with his hands.
"He has got into a swampy patch," he said.

"Of course.

There's a bit of a stream runs along there, and--" "Ow!" came in a dismal yell, followed by a furious barking, as we saw Jack make a tremendous jump, and then disappear.
"Help, help!" came from among some dense green growth, and hurrying forward we at last came in sight of our companion, at least in sight of his head and shoulders, and we could not approach him, for the ground gave way beneath our feet, the bright green moss almost floating upon a treacherous bog.
"Hold on!" shouted the doctor; "we'll help you directly;" and taking out his big knife he began to hack at some small bamboos which grew in thick clumps about us.
"Make haste," moaned Jack, "I'm sinking;" and we could see Gyp, who was howling furiously, tearing at the soft moss as if to dig his master out.
"Give Jimmy knife," said the black, who was grinning and enjoying Jack Penny's predicament.
I handed him mine, and he too cut down armfuls of the young green bamboo, the carriers coming up now and helping, when, taking a bundle at a time, Jimmy laid them down, dancing lightly over them with his bare feet, and troubling himself very little about danger, as he made a sort of green path right up to Jack.
"His black fellow pull up," shouted Jimmy; but I ran up to where he was, and each taking one of Jack's hands he gave a wriggle, floundered a bit, and then we had him out covered with black mud; and though we were standing up, he would not trust himself just then erect, but crept after us on hands and knees, the soft bog beneath us going up and down like a wave.
As soon as he was quite safe there was a hearty laugh at Jack Penny's expense; and the doctor drily asked for the butterfly.
"Oh, I caught him," said Jack; "but I lost him when I trod on that great beast." "What great beast ?" I said.
"Crocodile fifty foot long," drawled Jack.
"Say sixty," said the doctor.
"Well, I hadn't time to measure him," drawled Jack.