Come, Jimmy, lead on." Jimmy's jaw dropped, but his hand stole to his waistband, from which he drew his waddy, talking slowly the while, till, seeing the doctor make a movement towards him, he turned round and darted into the bush.
"He won't stop till he gets back to the village," drawled Jack.
"He won't go farther than the first big tree," I said, laughing.

"He's watching us now, I'll be bound." "Then you and I will have to meet the bunyip, Joe," said the doctor.
"Are you coming, Penny ?" "Yes, I'll come," said Jack quietly.

"I should like to see a bunyip.
Come along." Jack went on--not first, for Gyp started before him and, guided by the noise, we pushed on amongst the dense growth, finding the earth grow moister beneath our feet; and then all at once it seemed as if the big trees had come to an end and we were in a lighter place.
"There's the water," I cried, as I caught sight of a flash.
"You'll be in it here directly, same as I was," drawled Jack.

"I say, doctor, ain't this the sort of place big snakes like ?" "Hush!" whispered the doctor; and pressing back the thick growth we advanced cautiously, and following his example I, too, stepped from tuft to tuft, listening to the beating noise and to the other sounds that arose.
First there was the loud rustle of wings as some water birds flew up, long-legged creatures with far-stretching necks.

Then on my left there was an ominous noise, as of something crawling amongst the reeds, and I shuddered as I saw that Jack Penny was holding his gun ready, and that Gyp's hair was bristling all about his neck, while his teeth were bared.
The doctor was some distance before us now, and I could see him peering between some bushes and waving his hand to me to come forward; so, forgetting the danger, if danger there was, I went cautiously to my companion's side, to gaze with astonishment at the scene before me.
There was no bunyip or native Australian demon there, but a great shallow, muddy pond or lake, which seemed as if it must be swarming with fish and crocodiles, for every here and there, as the great rugged backs of the horrible lizards were seen pushing towards the shore, shoals of silvery fish leaped out, flashing in the sunshine before they splashed back into the water.
Here, then, was the secret of the mysterious noise which was being produced before my eyes.