Height from heel to top of head, 4 feet 2 inches.

Outstretched arms across chest, 7 " 8 "

Width of face, 1 foot 2 "

Girth of arm, 1 " 3 "

Girth of wrist, 8 "

The muscular power of such a creature is of course immense, as Nigel and the professor had a rare chance of seeing that very evening—­of which, more presently.

On careful examination by Nigel, who possessed some knowledge of surgery, it was found that none of Gurulam’s bones had been broken, and that although severely lacerated about the shoulders and right thigh, no very serious injury had been done—­thanks to the promptitude and vigour of the hermit’s spear-thrust.  The poor youth, however, was utterly helpless for the time being, and had to be carried home.

That afternoon the party reached a village in a remote part of the forest where they resolved to halt for the night, as no other resting-place could be reached before dark.

While a supper of rice and fowl was being cooked by Moses, Van der Kemp attended to the wounded man, and Nigel accompanied the professor along the banks of the stream on which the village stood.  Having merely gone out for a stroll they carried no weapons except walking-sticks, intending to go only a short distance.  Interesting talk, however, on the character and habits of various animals, made them forget time until the diminution of daylight warned them to turn.  They were about to do so when they observed, seated in an open place near the stream, the largest orang they had yet seen.  It was feeding on succulent shoots by the water-side:  a fact which surprised the professor, for his inquiries and experience had hitherto taught him that orangs never eat such food except when starving.  The fat and vigorous condition in which this animal was forbade the idea of starvation.  Besides, it had brought a Durian fruit to the banks of the stream and thrown it down, so that either taste or eccentricity must have induced it to prefer the shoots.  Perhaps its digestion was out of order and it required a tonic.

Anyhow, it continued to devour a good many young shoots while our travellers were peeping at it in mute surprise through the bushes.  That they had approached so near without being observed was due to the fact that a brawling rapid flowed just there, and the mias was on the other side of the stream.  By mutual consent the men crouched to watch its proceedings.  They were not a little concerned, however, when the brute seized an overhanging bough, and, with what we may style sluggish agility, swung itself clumsily but lightly to their side of the stream.  It picked up the Durian which lay there and began to devour it.  Biting off some of the strong spikes with which that charming fruit is covered, it made a small hole in it, and then with its powerful fingers tore off the thick rind and began to enjoy a feast.