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Updated: May 27, 2025
I had observed all this time that Pullingo sat very quietly by the fire, watching what we were about, and merely uttering the word "Gogobera;" but whether that was the name of the leader of the savages surrounding us, or of some supposed malign spirit, we could not tell.
The sight of the wombat roasting before the fire excited his interest, and he inquired of Pullingo how we had obtained it.
Mudge and I had been curious to know what sort of country lay beyond the hills in the direction Pullingo had been so unwilling we should take on the previous day. We determined, therefore, to set off as soon as breakfast was over. We did so, taking Paddy Doyle and Popo with us to carry our provisions, and armed with our fowling-pieces and pistols.
However, I have been thinking over the matter, and if you will allow me and one other person to set out, with Pullingo as a guide, supposing we can induce him to accompany us, we will explore the route, while you remain encamped in some eligible position near water with the rest of the party, where you can obtain abundance of game. Doyle is a capital shot, and sure amply to supply your larder.
Moving cautiously, I made my way towards the spot where our visitors had gone to rest; and there, to the best of my belief, they were all three still fast asleep. I returned to Mudge, who had not moved, he being curious to watch the proceedings of the sorcerer. "Rouse up Pullingo," he said, "and let us see what account he has to give when he sees yonder scarecrow."
"I am perfectly ready to do so," I answered; "indeed, I very much doubt whether Pullingo knows anything about the mountains, and I suspect that from the first he had no intention of conducting us over them. I suppose, however, that he does not intend to leave us at once?" "Little fear of that while we have the pigeons roasting at the fire," observed Mudge.
On arrival, he made them a bow and announced his object, showing them his book, in which were the portraits of several of our party, Harry and I, and Popo, by no means flattering likenesses. I don't know whether Pullingo understood the meaning of the strokes he saw on the paper; but his wife did so, it seemed, and, turning to him, expressed her wish to have her likeness taken.
We had several birds remaining, and we cooked them; still fully expecting that Pullingo and his son would return for breakfast. We ate our portion, keeping the remainder for them; but after waiting for some time, they did not make their appearance. "It would be useless to lose more time," observed Mudge at length.
Pullingo led on without stopping for a moment, or venturing even to look back, probably fearing that he might be discovered, and bring down the vengeance of his countrymen upon himself. At all events, the fact of his having followed us, knowing the danger in which we might place ourselves, was a convincing proof of his fidelity.
Knowing that it was important to gain the good-will of the natives, I thought that it would be a good opportunity to make Pullingo a present. So I went into the cottage and asked my father, who had only just risen, for some beads and a looking-glass, and other trinkets, which he had brought to trade with the South Sea Islanders.
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