CHAPTER XVI.
BEGINS WITH A TERRIBLE FIGHT AND ENDS WITH A HASTY FLIGHT.
The hunt, we need scarcely say, was abruptly terminated, and immediate preparations were made for conveying the wounded man and the two orangs to the Dyak village.

This was quickly arranged, for the convenient bamboo afforded ready-made poles wherewith to form a litter on which to carry them.
The huge creature which had given them so much trouble, and so nearly cost them one human life, was found to be indeed of the largest size.

It was not tall but very broad and large.

The exact measurements, taken by the professor, who never travelled without his tape measure, were as follows:-- 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.