t time we came to a wide bay, across which we
stood. The wind was fresh, and we flew rapidly over the water. The
pure air raised our spirits, and we anticipated an interesting visit to
our Kabomba friends. Mango pointed to a spot some way ahead, where he
thought we might land; but at the same time said that if we continued
further, we might possibly have a still shorter land journey to the
village.

"It would be a pity to leave the canoe, as long as we can sail along so
pleasantly," said Leo. "Do, Andrew, let us follow his suggestion."

As I saw no objection to it, we stood on down the lake. The breeze was
increasing. I took two reefs in our sail, but still it was as much as
the canoe could bear. Suddenly a strong blast came sweeping over the
lake. I shouted to Natty, who was at the halliards. Almost before the
words were out of my mouth, he had let them go. It was fortunate that
he did so, or the canoe must inevitably have been upset. As it was, she
heeled over so much that we took in a quantity of water. We set to work
to bail it out; but the wind from that moment blew stronger and
stronger, and in a few minutes the whole lake, which had hitherto been
so calm, was covered with foaming seas. They increased every instant,
and I saw that it would be dangerous to expose our light canoe broadside
to them. Even as it was, they continued breaking over the sides, and it
required active bailing to free her from water. Our only course,
therefore, to escape being swamped, was to keep her directly before the
gale. This carried us further and further down the lake, and drove us
also off from the north shore. I told Natty and Leo to get out the
paddles, while we set Mango to bail. We thus ran before the seas, and
kept the canoe tolerably free from water. Night was approaching, and
still there was no cessation of the gale. We could only see the land
dimly on our right side, while we flew on, surrounded by the hissing and
foaming waters. Much depended, I knew, on my steering well. The
slightest carelessness might have allowed the canoe to broach to, when
she must inevitably have been upset. Even had we clung to her, we
should have lost our provisions, and we might have been picked up by
some crocodile exploring the deeper water in search of prey; for I could
not tell whether the monsters did not swim occasionally thus far from
land. The boys plied their paddles energetically, as if they fancied
our safety dep