of the boats, slowly stretching out the hawser
connecting them till it was taut. Then again there was a commotion at
the end of the launch. The water was thrashed into foam, the ropes
creaked and stretched, and finally the launch was under way, the three
boats following gaily in the wake of the plucky steamer. Mr Pepson was
at the wheel, and promptly put his helm over till they were heading for
the very centre of the river.

"All clear here," he said, with a smile. "Now we make out for the sea,
for this is not the river Pra. It lies a few miles to the west. Once
there we shall not always have a wide, open stretch to steer through,
particularly when we have ascended a few miles. Then, indeed, the fun
will commence, for there are sure to be sandbanks and shallows, while I
believe that crocodiles abound. In any case the river will narrow, and
before very long the trees will come closer together and will shelter us
from the sun. Send her full steam ahead, Johnnie."

By now they were feeling the swell at the mouth of the harbour of
Elmina, and for some minutes all clung to the sides, for the light craft
were tossed by the enormous surf running outside. When that was safely
passed the steam launch turned to the west, and they went off along the
coast, just as they had done that morning, watching the white sandy
beach as they swept past it, the interminable forests beyond, and the
blue haze hanging over the hills and mountains in the distance. Two
hours later they reached the mouth of the river, and having approached
it carefully, for mud banks lay off it in many directions, they shot
into an open channel, and soon found themselves ascending the Pra, a
broad river, there known as the Bustum.

"Higher up it is called the Pra," explained Mr Pepson, "until it
bifurcates. The branch flowing from the east is then called the Prahsu,
while the one from the west is known as the river Offwin. We do not
ascend either of these. Our route takes us by a narrow tributary
flowing into the Pra, and by that means we reach our destination. Now
we can go full ahead."

Once more the throttle was opened to its full extent, and with the three
boats in tow the launch steamed up into the heart of the country, with
every prospect of covering many miles ere the darkness came and caused
her to come to a stop.

CHAPTER FOUR.

A CHASE AND A FIGHT.

"In a little while the sun will be down," said Mr Pepson, as he
sprawled on the