m down which we came to this spot. How
thankful I was when we reached it, for David said he had no hope of your
recovery till we could find a resting-place, with pure air and a more
bracing climate than we were passing through. It was dreadful to have
you exposed so long to the damp night air, and the miasmas which arose
from the river; but we are in safety now, and I try to forget all the
dangers and anxiety we endured. It may be many weeks or months before
we can again set out; but by that time, David says he hopes you will be
thoroughly restored to health, and we shall be able to journey on with
light hearts, and, I hope, find friends to welcome us at the end."

"Oh, yes, dear Andrew," exclaimed Bella. "You have no idea how
frightened we often were; for we thought if the savages had stopped us
or taken us away from you, that you would certainly have died.
Sometimes we thought you were dead, you were so quiet and pale; but when
you are well again, we shall not mind anything."

"Hush, hush!" said Kate, "we must not talk to Andrew of what has passed.
All is well now. Stanley is delighted with the place. There is an
extraordinary abundance of game of all sorts, as he calls the wild
animals which rove over those plains. Sometimes we can see from here
herds of buffaloes, and cameleopards, zebras, and all sorts of deer and
quaggas; and there are savage animals too--lions, rhinoceroses, and
leopards, and elephants; indeed, he will not allow the boys to go far by
themselves lest they should be attacked."

"No, indeed," said Bella; "for though Stanley does not always tell us
his adventures, I suspect he has some narrow escapes. In the river and
lake, too, there is an immense number of hippopotami and crocodiles.
The boys went down to bathe soon after we arrived, and had a fright,
which will prevent them ever doing it again. They were both in the
water when a huge crocodile darted across towards them, and they had
just time to scramble out and run away, leaving their clothes behind
them, when Jack and Timbo, who were fortunately near, rushed down and
drove the creature off."

"It was indeed a mercy they were not seized," said Kate. "But we must
not talk more to you now, Andrew. Stanley says he could not have wished
to go to a finer spot, and it is only necessary to be cautious to avoid
danger from any of them."

"Ah, here come the boys, and they have got a beautiful little animal
between them. What can it be?"