green butterfly net and under one arm he had tucked a tin box.
Round his waist was a leather belt from which hung, in addition to a
revolver and cartridges, a glass bottle with a wide stopper with a
chloroformed sponge reposing in the bottom. It did not need the
introduction of the newcomer by M. Desplaines as Professor Ajax
Wiseman, to tell the boys that Dr. Wiseman was a naturalist.

"My dear professor, what are you doing here?" exclaimed M.
Desplaines as soon as the introductions were over.

"I arrived this morning from Grand Bassam on a coasting schooner,"
replied the professor, carefully setting down his tin box. "I have
a remarkable specimen of the Gladiolus Gorgeosi in there," he
remarked importantly. "I am contemplating a trip into the interior
via the Bia River and came to you to see if you could arrange
transportation."

M. Desplaines looked at the boys.

"These young men have engaged the steam launch, to tow their
expedition up the river," he said hesitatingly; "they are going on a
hunting trip, into the interior, and have, I venture to say, one of
the most complete outfits I have ever seen."

The naturalist looked wistfully at Frank.

"I suppose there would not be the least objection to my availing
myself of your assistance in getting up the river," he said,
blinking behind his spectacles like an old bat who has unexpectedly
emerged into the sunlight. "I have only two canoes and as I carry