comrades. But
that was only for a little while. Soon a big pale, African moon got up,
and, riding clear of the jungle, flooded the course of the river, the
left bank near which the boats lay, and the tree-tops and jungle along
that side. On the far bank all was densely dark, and no eye could
penetrate the deep shadow which cloaked the dark and forbidding forest
which stretched unbroken beside the Pra.

"Bed!" called out Mr Pepson, indulging in a yawn. "Meinheer, yours is
the first watch. Wake Dick at nine. Good-night."

"Good nighd, mine friends. Sleeb well, for I shall protect you."

The Dutchman went aft to the tiny cabin, and fetched his rifle and a bag
of cartridges. Then he seated himself upon the roof of the saloon, the
rifle across his knees, and his pipe held firmly between his teeth.

Dick, too, was tired. It had been a long and interesting day, and he
had watched the passing banks of the river till his eyes ached. Now he
felt drowsy. He got up from the deck, stretched his arms and yawned,
and then went off to the bows. A minute later he was wrapped in his
blanket, which covered him from head to foot, his head was on a bag
containing clothing, while his legs were stretched along the deck. Half
an hour later he was asleep; all aboard, in fact, had turned in for
their rest, save the solitary Dutchman, who still nursed his rifle, and
puffed volumes of smoke from his lips without ceasing.

No wonder that Dick was charmed with this trip up-country. It appealed
with all its force to a young fellow of his age. He revelled in the
strangeness of the scenery, the dense, awe-inspiring forests, and all
the teeming life hidden in their midst, and the silent, slow-flowing
river. That evening, too, he had thought how beautiful it all was, and
how peaceful. He had admired the cold rays of the moon, the sleepy
boats lying beneath it, and the dark figures stretched out beneath the
thwarts. He had listened, too, for a time to the music of the bush,
which came now more loudly to his ear. There was the chatter of a
regiment of monkeys, the call of night birds innumerable, and the
droning hum of the insects. Ever and anon there came a deeper sound, as
if from some beast wandering in search of its meal, while once, as he
awoke and rose on his elbow, he caught sight of a graceful four-footed
animal--a gazelle--tripping gently into the river to drink. After that
he stretched out again, and, lulled by the dronin