For this great reptile was more than green, he was a green so vivid that it put the colours of the forest to shame. A bright, glittering green and along the centre of his broad back one zig-zag splash of orange. "Phew," whistled Hamilton, "this is something like." The roar of approval from the people was unmistakable. The crocodile turned his evil head and for a moment, as it seemed to Bones, his eyes glinted viciously in the direction of the young and enterprising officer. And Bones admitted after to a feeling of panic. Then with a malignant "woof!" like the hoarse, growling bark of a dog, magnified a hundred times, he slid back into the water, a great living streak of vivid green and disappeared to the cool retreat at the bottom of the pool. "You have done splendidly, Bones, splendidly!" said Hamilton, and clapped him on the back; "really you are a most enterprising devil." "Not at all, sir," said Bones. He ate his dinner on the _Zaire_, answering with monosyllables the questions which Hamilton put to him regarding the quest and the place of the origin of this wonderful beast. It was after dinner when they were smoking their cigars in the gloom as the _Zaire_ was steaming across its way to the shore where a wooding offered an excuse for a night's stay, and Bones gave voice to his thoughts. And curiously enough his conversation did not deal directly or indirectly with his discovery. "When was this boat decorated last, sir?" he asked. "About six months before Sanders left," replied Hamilton in surprise; "just why do you ask?" "Nothing, sir," said Bones, and whistled light-heartedly. Then he returned to the subject. "I only asked you because I thought the enamel work in the cabin and all that sort of thing has worn very well." "Yes, it is good wearing stuff," said Hamilton. "That green paint in the bathroom is rather _chic_, isn't it? Is that good wearing stuff?" "The enamel?" smiled Hamilton. "Yes, I believe that is very good wearing. I am not a whale on domestic matters, Bones, but I should imagine that it would last for another year without showing any sign of wear." "Is it waterproof at all?" asked Bones, after another pause. "What do you mean?" "I mean would it wash off if a lot of water were applied to it?" "No, I should not imagine it would," said Hamilton, "what makes you ask?" "Oh, nothing!" said Bones carelessly and whistled, looking up to the stars that were peeping from the sky; and the inside of Lieutenant Tibbetts was one large expansive grin. CHAPTER X HENRY HAMILTON BONES