We started. The first victim was a sentinel. UMBUGSOAPYGAS clutched him by the throat and pulling his head back, tore it off with a crack, like the popping of a soda-water cork. Then we were upon them. There were yells, crashes, and blood all over the place. The "Brain-pricker" was here there and everywhere, scooping out brains just like a cheese-scoop scoops out cheese to be tasted by the customers of a London butterman. It really was all very amusing, and in spite of our servants being absolutely cut to pieces, we were in the gayest spirits imaginable. That all should end happily, who should turn up at the last moment but TOTTIE, with a little pail into which the dear child had poured the heart's blood of some of her persecutors. "I shot six of them with my own little revolver," said the interesting infant, as I stroked her golden-hair with my crimson-coloured fingers; "wasn't it clever of me?" We had a very good lunch, the _poulet a la Portugaise_ of ADOLPHE being particularly worthy of a second helping. After this meal was over, I went to the Rev. BANG MCSAXPENCE, and taking him by the arm, observed, "I really think you ought to give up this sort of life. You see you owe a duty to your wife and daughter--especially the latter, who, if she does not receive any education, and only mixes with bloodthirsty cannibals, may grow up wild, shunning her kind." "You are right, SLAUGHTERMAN," replied the Minister, straightening his carving-knife, which since the night before had severed many a human rib. "I made up my mind to it this very morning, just before I began my hacking and slaying. I won't risk another fight, but leave it to a younger Clergyman. And besides, between you and me, I am well off. It is thirty thousand pounds I am worth to-day, and every farthing of it made by honest trade, and savings in the bank at Zanzibar--for living costs me here next to nothing." "You are right." "I am sure of it," answered the Clergyman. "I will turn my back upon this place in a month. But it will be a wrench--it will be a wrench."[B] CHAPTER III.--WATER ON THE BRAIN.