ses
were, but they stuck out with the nostrils at the tips and had certainly
a most curious appearance. The arms and legs had somewhat of a whitish
tinge, and the hands were grey rather than black. Ned told us that they
were very active, and when at liberty could be seen leaping from branch
to branch, generally in large troops, holloaing loudly as they go along.
Blyth purchased a couple, as they were very tame and seemed
well-mannered. He hoped to be able to keep them alive if he could
obtain suitable food.

After a short and satisfactory intercourse with our native friends, we
shoved off and proceeded up the river. The tide, however, soon turned,
and Uncle Jack, considering that it would be useless to attempt pulling
against it, brought up for the night a short distance from the left
bank, but sufficiently far off not to run the risk of being surprised by
hostile natives.

As we had a long pull before us, the first mate arranged that all hands
should lie down except two in each boat to keep watch, that we might be
the better able to work the next day. Supper, however, was first served
out, for we had hitherto not had time to eat anything. It was arranged
that Ned and I should have the first watch in our boat, and as soon as
supper was over, the rest of the party stowed themselves away as best
they could on or under the thwarts. The boats lay in the shadow cast by
the tall trees on the bank nearest to us, from which strange sounds ever
and anon came off, produced either by wild beasts or insects, not
sufficiently loud to drown the ripple of the water as it flowed rapidly
by. The bright stars shone down from a cloudless sky on the surface of
the stream, flickering and dancing in the eddies caused by the current.

I found great difficulty in keeping awake, though, of course, I did my
best to prevent my eyelids from closing by constantly shifting my
position and looking round in every direction, not that I apprehended
danger, but from knowing that it was my duty to be prepared for any
contingency.

I had been on watch for an hour or more, when Ned, who was seated on a
thwart, stepped aft. "Hist, Mr Harry," he said, in a low whisper, "do
you hear the sound of voices coming down the river?"

I fancied that I did.

"Just listen."

I listened, and after some time could distinctly hear some strange
sounds, though I was not certain that they were those of human voices.
I awoke the first mate, who also heard the