"Yes," said the little man, importantly. "I am going, sir, to add to my collection a specimen of the celebrated Argus pheasant--_Phasianus Giganteus_." "No, no, doctor; no Latin names after dinner," cried several voices. "As you please, gentlemen," he said. "The sultan says, shall he send a score of his men to protect you?" cried Captain Horton. "For goodness' sake no!" cried the doctor in dismay. "My dear sir, this bird is only to be shot by approaching it most cautiously at night, or by laying patiently near its haunts." "Laying what, doctor--eggs?" said a young officer. "No, sir; a stick about the back of impertinent puppies," cried the doctor, angrily. "I said lying--lying in wait near the bird's haunts." "Oh, I beg your pardon," said the young officer; and the doctor went off in dudgeon. "I say, Thompson," said the major, "don't you be poorly, whatever you do, until the doctor has got over it, or he'll give you such a dose." "I'll take care, sir," said the young man; and they went on chatting about other things. CHAPTER FIFTY SIX. DOCTOR BOLTER'S BIRD. Meanwhile the doctor followed his Malay boy--as he was called, though he was really a man--through a narrow path right away from the camp and into the jungle. The doctor was ruffled exceedingly at his slip of grammar, and looked very much annoyed; but the thought of being able to secure a specimen of the much-prized Argus pheasant chased away the other trouble, and he walked on closely behind his guide. "How far have we to go, my lad?" he said. "Walk two hours," said the Malay, "then sit down and listen. No speak a word till _Coo-ow_ come. Then make gun speak and kill him!" "To be sure!" said the doctor, nodding his head; and then almost in silence he followed his guide, often feeling disposed to try and shoot one or other of the nocturnal birds that flitted silently by, or one of the great fruit bats that, longer in their spread of wings than rooks, flew in flocks on their way to devastate some orchard far away. Quite two hours had elapsed, during which the Malay, apparently quite at home, led his scientific companion right away through the gloom of the wilderness. At last he enjoined silence, saying that they were now approaching the haunts of the wondrous bird; and consequently the doctor crept on behind him without so much as crushing a twig.