bye and good luck!"

The words of encouragement and a last cheer came to them as they boarded
the launch. There was a sharp order from Mr Pepson, then the engines
revolved, the propeller thrashed the water, and they were off, Dick and
his friend watching the receding figures on the shore, while the
sprightly Van Somering climbed to the highest point of the narrow deck
and there held himself with head erect so that all might view him and
admire.

"A great swell he is, too," laughed Mr Pepson, as he and Dick turned
from the shore. "His appearance alone should mean our security from
attack."

And our hero was fain to agree. For the fat little Dutchman had
exceeded any former attempt. True, he was dressed in the same loose
clothing, made of the selfsame material as worn by his comrades. But
his vanity had added embellishments to it. His shirt was red, a red
which dazzled the eye, while the belt which surrounded his ample waist
was some five inches in width--strong enough, in fact, to bear the
weight of two such Dutchmen, while it carried in front an enormous
revolver and a dagger of like proportions, all of which made it appear
as if Meinheer Van Somering were a man of pugnacious disposition, and
therefore to be avoided.

An hour later, a little while after the sun had risen over the jungle,
the launch glided into the river at Elmina, and came to rest close to
the mole.

"We will see first of all that our stores are here," said Mr Pepson, as
he leaped ashore. "Then we will move on without delay. Come with me,
Dick, and go over the list of our possessions."

Everything had been sent on some few days before from the neighbourhood
of Cape Coast Castle, where they had been landed from the steamer, and
thanks to the careful foresight of Mr Pepson, Dick found that three
dugouts, of large proportions, lay close to the mole, roped firmly
together, and in these were disposed the belongings of the expedition.
In the bows of one was the brass gun, while there were sniders in all
three and an ample supply of ammunition. In addition, half a dozen
Fanti warriors sat on the thwarts waiting for the forward move.

"Hook on the launch," said Mr Pepson. "Now, all aboard. Send her
ahead, Johnnie."

Johnnie was the native boy who had been trained to man the engines of
the launch, and he rejoiced in the name given. At the word he opened
the steam throttle till the merest jet was fed to the cylinders, and
gently drew ahead