They saw more of the parrots, but not all of them imitated the human talk, chattering and making harsh sounds after their own fashion and making the glades bright with their gorgeous plumage.

Both boys laughed at the recollection of their first fright when they heard the birds and thought that there were men on the island, and then, taking their bearings, set out to explore the island for a short distance.

As Jack had a good idea of direction, they were not likely to get lost, although in the jungle they were often in a twilight shade and could not see the sun, which might have told them which way they were going.

“It gave me something of a start when I thought there were other people on the island besides ourselves,” remarked Percival as they went on through a semi-darkness, the vegetation being thick above and around them so that they could see nothing of the sky.  “It’s pretty dark here.”

“Yes,” agreed Jack, turning on his pocket flash.  “Hello!”

“What’s the matter?” asked Percival, Jack’s tone being one of alarm.

A shot rang out, and then Jack jumped back, exclaiming: 

“I guess I’ve settled him, Dick!”

“What have you settled, Jack?”

“That fellow there,” and Jack turned the light upon something at his feet and then pushed it aside.

“A snake!” exclaimed Percival.  “You blew his head off.  Is he very dangerous, Jack?”

“Well, not now,” said the other with a dry laugh.

“No, I should say not.  Would he have been?”

“He belongs to the family of dangerous snakes, one of the most dangerous, in fact.  He is either a fer de lance or a first cousin to it, and either is a sort of creature to keep away from.  The bite is nearly always fatal, as the virus acts so rapidly upon the system.  It was lucky I turned on the light when I did.  These creatures inhabit the dark places and are always ready for an unwary traveler.”

“H’m!  I think we had better keep in the light, Jack.  We go into a dark water cave and run across a devil fish.  Then we go into the dark woods and meet with this poison gentleman.  Let’s go back to the light!”

“I think we had better,” returned Jack.  “We are strangers here and the residents seem to resent our coming.  I am sure I’ll be glad enough to leave the place for good.”

It did not seem to be such an easy matter, however, for difficulties beset them on every side as soon as they started to leave the jungle, as though there were some malign influence in those gloomy shades which was endeavoring to hold them captive.

There were morasses which they had to avoid, there were bramble thickets which barred their way, and Percival questioned whether Jack was going in the right direction and asked him to try another.

“We are going toward the shore, Dick,” said Jack, “and if we keep on you will see that I am right.”

“I don’t doubt that we were going that way in the beginning, Jack, but we were thrown out of our path by the brambles and again by the swamp, not to mention the snake, and I don’t believe we are going that way now.  Don’t the trees give you any idea?”