es seldom venture out of their
villages.

They soon found the canoe, and without exchanging a word the men and
boys cautiously got in, and Simba and Moto, each taking a paddle, drove
the boat out until it reached the flood, and silently dipping their
paddles in the water they guided their boat to the opposite side, and
under the lee of the tall grass and mangrove trees impelled her along
noiselessly.

They came abreast of the village, and they rested on their paddles; they
passed it, and the work was resumed with caution. Once beyond the
fields, Kalulu and Selim each took a paddle, and the increased muscle
soon sent her swiftly gliding down. They were now passing through an
uncultivated tract, and Simba exerted his giant strength, and Moto his
sinew and muscle to the work, and the rapid progress they were making
was seen by the swift flight of trees and branches and tall cane by
them.

The stars, in bright galaxies and shiny myriads, lit their course, the
river flow aided them, and the rapid rate at which they went exhilarated
them. They were probably going down the river at the rate of five miles
an hour, thus paddling with the current; nine hours of such work would
put them out of reach of danger by morning, even should they be pursued;
and provided they paddled on unseen by the natives no trace would be
left behind by them.

This was a happy and expeditious way of travelling towards home, thought
our people. The longest day's march was nothing compared to the number
of miles that may be travelled down stream, for even should they rest
awhile the friendly current still conveyed them down towards their
destination. So, blessing your stars, and your fortune, glide on my
heroes, glide down until morning!

The day dawned and revealed their surroundings, prominent hills, all
crowned with tall trees, with slopes descending rapidly to the river's
edge, a straight course before them; the current swifter; sometimes
racing past the rocks with the speed of a rapid, and not a sign of
cultivation about them anywhere. Cheered by the auspicious outlook they
bent to their paddles with will and vigour.

Beyond the hill-country the river broadened and became sluggish in its
flow; tall matete cane towered above them to the height of bamboo. This
also was cheering, for except fishermen no tribe cares to live in such a
sickly neighbourhood. After resting a short time and recruiting their
strength with a breakfast of dried