Perhaps I ought to have stated that I had already gleaned from the mail-men, or runners, who had been sent with the message, that the waters of the lagoon in the vicinity of the camp had long been disturbed by some huge fish or monster, whose vagaries were a constant source of terror.

The dreaded creature would come quite close inshore, and then endeavour to "spear" the women with what was described as a long weapon carried in its mouth.

This, then, was the evil spirit of the lagoon, and I confess it puzzled me greatly.

I thought it probable that it was merely a large fish which had descended in a rain-cloud among countless millions of others of smaller species.

I looked upon the commission, however, as a good opportunity for displaying my powers and impressing the natives in that country--I always had the utmost confidence in myself.