slightest fear of molestation. For some time affairs remained in
the same condition. The doctor went daily on shore with butterfly
and beetle nets, tin boxes, and other paraphernalia. He was generally
accompanied by a couple of bluejackets, and always took a native
guide to prevent the risk of being lost in the jungle, and also
because the man was able to take him to places where villages had
stood, and it was in these clearings that insect life, especially
among the lepidoptera, was most abundant. The Malay he first engaged
was a young fellow who proved so intelligent and willing that he
was permanently retained for the service as long as the Serpent
remained on the station.

The officers obtained no sport with big game; for although at night
the forest was full of sounds, showing the number of wild animals
that abounded, these never were met with during the daytime, and it
would have been hopeless endeavoring to penetrate the thick jungle
in search of them. There was, however, an abundance of birds, for
the most part of brilliant plumage, and the doctor was delighted
with the spoils they brought in, while the messes were kept well
supplied with jungle fowl and other edible birds. The natives,
learning from the guide of the doctor's passion for insects, brought
in large numbers for sale, and he was able to purchase a great many
specimens altogether new to science.

The two midshipmen made excursions with their guns whenever they
could get leave. Davis and two other sailors always accompanied
them, as the captain's orders were strict that no officer or man
should go outside the limits of the campong unless accompanied by
two armed seamen.