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　　Oola and his present
　　Oola crouched down at the sound of Bill’s loud voice. Philip felt him trembling against his knees.
　　He pulled him up. ‘It’s all right,’ he said. ‘Don’t be frightened. Bill, this is that kid we rescued thismorning from the snake-charmer. He’s followed us all the way here, running along the banks.’
　　Bill stared in astonishment. ‘But – he can’t do this!’ he said. ‘Climbing on board someone else’sboat in the middle of the night! Has he stolen anything? Some small kids are taught to steal assoon as they can walk.’
　　‘He took some food from the cabin. He says he hasn’t had any for two or three days,’ saidLucy-Ann. ‘Bill, he seems to think he wants to be Philip’s servant. Whatever are we to do?’
　　‘He’ll have to go,’ said Bill. ‘It’s just a trick to get on the boat. No doubt his snake-charmeruncle has put him up to this, and is waiting for his share of the goods! Clear off, now, boy! Quick!’
　　Oola was so scared that he could hardly walk. He left Philip and stumbled over the decktowards the jetty. As he passed Mrs Cunningham, she put out her hand to the stumbling boy, andcaught him, so that he came to a standstill. She turned him round gently so that he stood in thelight of her torch, with his back towards Bill.
　　‘Bill – look!’ she said. And Bill looked, and saw the poor thin little body, with the bruises allover it. He gave an exclamation.
　　‘Good heavens! Who did that? Poor little creature, he looks half-starved. Come here, Oola.’
　　Oola came, half reassured by the kinder tone in Bill’s voice. Bill shone his torch on him, and theboy blinked. ‘Why did you come, Oola?’ asked Bill, still stern. ‘Tell me the truth and nothing willharm you.’
　　‘I come to find him,’ said Oola, and pointed to Philip. ‘I make him my boss. Oola his servant.
　　Oola bring present for boss.’
　　Bill looked him over. Except for the dirty cloth round his waist, Oola had nothing to bring!
　　‘You bring no present,’ said Bill. ‘Why do you lie, Oola?’
　　‘Oola spik truth,’ said the boy. ‘My boss, he say he like snake. Very much like snake. So Oolabring one. Bargua snake!’
　　And, to everyone’s horror, Oola slid his hand into his waist-cloth and brought out a slim,wriggling green snake, spotted with bright red and yellow!
　　‘Its mouth isn’t sewn up!’ yelled Jack. ‘Look out, everybody! Look out, Oola, you fathead! It’sa poisonous snake. Its bite will kill you!’
　　Dinah shot to the hatchway, ran down and locked herself into a cupboard, trembling all over. Abargua! One of the most poisonous snakes there were! How COULD Oola wear it round him likea belt! She felt quite sick.

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