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.