t out of the lake.

CHAPTER TEN.

VOYAGE DOWN THE RIVER, CONTINUED.

The savages on the raft, which had already got some way out into the
lake, saluted us with showers of arrows; but, happily, we were too far
off for them to reach us. Already our arms ached with our long paddle,
but it was no time to rest. We knew not whether, vindictive as they
appeared, they would attempt to pursue us, or whether others might not
have gone further down along the margin of the lake, with the hope of
even yet intercepting us at the narrow part which we saw. Evening was
approaching, and the difficulties of the navigation, should the night
prove dark, would be greater.

"I see some objects on the left bank," cried Natty. "Never fear, we
will slip by them," said Jack. "To my eyes they have got four legs, and
will not hurt us."

We speedily neared the point where the lake-like expanse narrowed into
the proportions of a river. The creatures seen by Natty were now
discovered to be a herd of zebras, which had come down to the river's
bank to drink. They gazed at us as we passed with a look of
astonishment; but, though they kept moving here and there, as if asking
each other what we could be, they did not take to flight, but continued
scampering round and round as horses do in a field, stopping every now
and then to take another look at us. They quickly, however, returned to
the water, for they probably knew that unless they made haste they would
be interrupted by some of their remorseless foes--lions, panthers, or
hyenas--which might come down to the same spot to quench their thirst
before setting forth on their nightly rambles in search of prey. They
were beautiful and graceful creatures, very unlike the poor patient ass
with which we are acquainted in England, and accustomed to associate
with everything that is stupid and obstinate. Yet the zebra and the ass
are nearly related; indeed, the former is classed by naturalists as an
ass. I shall have more to say about them by-and-by.

Evening was rapidly drawing to a close. Still, although the alarm which
the zebras had caused us when first indistinctly seen had subsided, we
thought it possible that some of our savage foes might still be on the
watch for us further down the stream, or, should we land and rest, that
they might overtake us before we again got under weigh. "It's wisest,
according to my notions, to keep well ahead of an enemy if you have to
run from him, and a