rtook to lead us in
prayer; and with expressions which came, I am sure, from his heart, he
returned thanks to the God of mercy for our preservation from the great
dangers we had passed, and implored protection for the future. I heard
Natty, who was kneeling near me, repeat his words with deep earnestness;
and I was sure also that Kate and little Bella were pouring out their
hearts in prayer. Though Timbo was the only African who could join us,
the others were, I believe, greatly impressed with the scene, which, I
had reason to know, was never forgotten by them.

Chickango and I had been appointed to keep the first watch, while Senhor
Silva and Jack were to relieve us. In a short time the rest of our
party were fast asleep, with the exception of David, who, as soon as his
sisters had entered their hut, drove some stakes round the entrance, so
that even a snake could not find its way in. After pacing up and down
for some time with my gun in my hand, I told Chickango I would try and
make my way to the other side of the island, as a full moon shining down
among the trees enabled me to do without much difficulty. Its beams
shed a silvery light on the water, which flowed calmly by. I soon
reached a spot whence I could see the opposite shore, across a channel
which divided the island from the mainland. As I stood there, I fancied
I saw creatures moving along the banks, then I discovered five or six
elephants approaching the water. They came to the edge, and, dipping in
their trunks, poured the cool liquid down their throats. Presently a
herd of giraffes came with a swinging trot across the ground, their
heads moving about from side to side as they swung forward their long
legs. They appeared, however, rather cautious of approaching till their
more powerful companions had quenched their thirst. Just then, from a
point a little on one side, several smaller animals made their way down
to the bank; and, as they drew nearer, I discovered them to be a male
and female lion, with their whelps. They stood watching the elephants,
now and then uttering a low angry sound, yet never breaking into a roar.
I stood rivetted to the spot, thankful that we had chosen the island
for our encampment; for had we been on the mainland, we must have found
our post untenable. They were, however, not the only visitors to the
water. A huge rhinoceros, which I recognised by the horn on his nose,
advanced with a heavy tread; and several buffalo