Soon afterwards I caught sight of
another creature resting on a sandbank, with a hideous long snout and a
scaly tail and short thick legs. It was a monstrous crocodile.

"Oh do, Andrew, make haste and get on shore!" exclaimed Bella. "What a
horrible creature! I did not expect to meet with such monsters."

I tried to comfort her by assuring her that the crocodile would not
attack us, and would more likely swim away than follow us. On landing,
we hauled up the canoe, and then commenced collecting sticks for a fire.
Kate's kettle was soon hissing merrily, suspended by a high tripod over
the fire, and by the time the provisions were spread, Stanley and his
companions had arrived. While we were so engaged, we saw, approaching
among the trees, a black man, with a shield on one arm and a spear held
in the other hand. His arms and part of his body were tattooed in
curious lines. Round his neck he wore a necklace of alligator's teeth,
while his hair was so dressed as to form a long tail behind, and his
beard was twisted into two curious horns, which stuck out from his chin.
Round his loins was the skin of a wild beast, and at his side a broad
short sword in a sheath; a sort of cross-bow hung at his back, with a
quiver full of small arrows. Altogether, with the shield and spear I
have mentioned, he looked a formidable warrior to those who were not
possessed of firearms. The shield, though capable of turning the darts
and spears of his equally savage foes, would have availed him little
against a modern rifle ball.

Bella eyed the warrior with a glance of terror.

"Do not be afraid," said Natty, placing himself before her. "Leo and I
will fight for you."

"Yes, even though there were an hundred such fellows," said Leo. "He
looks very different from our friend Igubo. I wonder what he has come
for."

Chickango advancing, a conversation ensued which lasted some minutes.
The countenance of the warrior fell. We saw him glancing now over one
shoulder, now over the other. Then suddenly he turned, and without
uttering another word, ran off as fast as his legs could carry him
through the forest. Chickango, who had his rifle in his hand, raised
it. Stanley shouted to him not to fire, and while he hesitated, the
stranger had darted behind the trees. The black returned, uttering
words which, though incomprehensible to us, showed that he was very
angry. At length, when somewhat calmed, Timbo, who had been unable
himself