to proceed with almost as much ease as
during the day. As we sped on, however, we saw numerous animals on the
banks coming down to drink; but we passed them too rapidly to ascertain
what they were. I think we must have continued paddling on two hours
longer, rather than one. Stanley seemed unwilling, so long as we could
move our arms, to stop; indeed, the cool air of night renewed our
strength; and, for my part, I felt that I could have gone on till
daylight, if necessary, for the sake of securing the safety of the young
girls depending on us for protection.

At length the ground on our right rose considerably above the plain. "I
think I see an island ahead," cried Stanley. "If so, it may suit us for
a bivouac, and may be more secure than the mainland." As we went on we
found that he was right. The island appeared to be about four or five
hundred yards in circumference, with numerous trees growing on it, which
would afford us the means of forming huts, and give us wood for our
fires besides. Fortunately, we had no need of provisions, as we had an
abundance in the canoes. We took the passage on the west side, and,
going to the further end of the island, found a small bay, into which we
steered the canoes.

"We must act the part of invaders and drive out any previous occupants,"
observed Stanley as he stepped on shore. "Kate and Bella and the two
boys, with the wounded black and his sons, must remain in the canoes
till we can find a safe place for encamping. David will stay behind for
your protection. Now, my friends, we will advance into the interior."

At the word we all stepped on shore. There was a small extent of open
ground extending a few yards from the water's edge. This would, at all
events, afford us space for our encampment. Had it been a dark night,
we should have run a considerable risk if any savage animals existed on
the island; but during moonlight neither lions nor panthers will assail
a man, unless hard-pressed by hunger. We had our axes in our belts, and
were thus able to clear our way over the rocky ground among the
underwood and trees, mostly growing wide apart. As we advanced, we
shouted to each other, now one now another firing his gun and stopping
to reload. Suddenly a loud splash told us that some animal had leaped
into the water. Now another was heard, and in a short time we reached
the northern end of the island, having completely passed over it. We
were satisfied that what