eing
interpreted by Omar.

"Very well," he answered, and turning to the officer, he gave orders that
the signal gun should be fired three times at intervals.

Presently there was a puff of white smoke and the first loud report rang
out, making the vessel quiver beneath us. We waited, listening, but there
was no response. The light quickly faded, night cast her veil of darkness
over the sea, but we still stood in for the coast.

Again, about half-past nine, the gun belched forth a tongue of flame, and
the report sounded far over the silent waters. All was excitement on
deck, for it was a matter of speculation whether an answering shout or
gunshot could be heard above the roar and throbbing of the engines. Ten,
eleven o'clock passed, and presently the third gun was exploded so
suddenly that the ladies were startled. Again we listened, but could
hear nothing. Kouaga fumed and cursed the evil-spirit for our misfortune,
while Omar, finding that we were to be taken to Cape Coast Castle,
imparted to me his fear that the fortnight's delay it must necessarily
entail, would be fatal to his mother's plans.

We were hanging over the taffrail together gazing moodily into the
darkness, having given up all hope of getting ashore at the Lahou River,
when suddenly about half a mile from us we saw a flash, and the report of
a rifle reached us quite distinctly, followed by distant shouting.

"There they are!" cried Omar excitedly. "They've hailed us at last!"

But ere the words had fallen from his lips we heard the bell in the
engine-room ringing, and next second the steam was shut off and we
gradually hove to.

Kouaga was at our side almost immediately, and we found ourselves
surrounded by passengers taking leave of us. Our boxes were brought up by
a couple of sailors, and after about a quarter of an hour's wait, during
which time the vessel rose and fell with the swell, the craft that had
hailed us loomed up slowly in the darkness, amid the excited jabber of
her demoniac-looking crew.

She was a large native vessel, brig-rigged, and as dirty and
forbidding-looking a craft as you could well see anywhere. Kouaga hailed
one of the black, half-clad men on board, receiving a cheery answer, and
presently, having taken leave of the captain and those around us, we
climbed over the bulwarks and sprang upon the deck of the mysterious
ship.

As Omar alighted the whole crew made obeisance to him, afterwards
crowding around me, examining