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Rh saw what the supposed snake was: the bat we had previously wounded. It was more than half dead, and a single blow from Dawson's stick finished it, and then we yelled for Gory to return.

"The Philippine bats knock ours all to pieces," observed the first mate. "We had best take him along."

"For eating?" I queried.

"Perhaps" Dawson paused. "You don't like the idea? Very well, let him go then," and he threw the creature into the brush. I have since heard that among certain of the natives these bats are considered a great delicacy.

We had begun to ascend a small hill located about a quarter of a mile in advance of the mountain I have mentioned several times. I now suggested that we push on to the top.

"We can get a good look around from there," I continued. "And it may be that we will see more than the parties that went up and down the shore."

"Sure an that's a good idee," said Matt Gory. "Let us go to the top by all means."

The first mate was willing. "If you don't find it a tougher climb than ye calculate on," he cautioned.

The first part of the journey was comparatively easy, but the nearer we got to the top of the hill