We had just arrived at the point of determining that we would engage six natives at a friendly shore village to carry our baggage and act as guides, when the noise of some trouble aft arose, and we turned to see a Malay sailor lying upon the deck, and Jimmy showing his teeth fiercely, waddy in hand, after having given the man what he afterwards called "a topper on de headums." We ran up, fearing more mischief, for Jimmy could fight fiercely when roused; and we were just in time, for as the doctor reached the Malay the man had scrambled up, drawn his knife, and rushed at the black.

But before he could strike, the doctor showed me what wonderful strength of arm he possessed, by seizing the Malay by the waistband and arm and literally swinging him over the low bulwark into the sea.
"That will cool his passion," said the doctor, smiling.

"I'm sorry I did it though, captain," he said the next minute; "these men are very revengeful." "Too late to say that," cried the captain roughly.

"Here, hi! man overboard! Never mind the boat: he swims like a fish." This was plain enough, for the Malay was making his way swiftly through the water, and the captain ran aft with a coil of rope to throw to him from the stern.
I ran too, and could see that as the man struck the water in a peculiar fashion, he held his knife open in his hand, and was thinking whether he would use it when the captain threw the rope, the light rings uncoiling as they flew through the air and splashed the water.
"Here, look out!" cried the captain; but the man did not heed, but began to beat the water furiously, uttering a strange gasping cry.
"Look, doctor!" I cried, pointing, and leaning forward.
A low hiss escaped his lips as he, too, saw a dull, indistinct something rising through the transparent sea.
"Yah, hi! Bunyip debble fis!" shouted Jimmy excitedly.

"Bite sailor, brown fellow.