re likely to be placed, they would prove of
the greatest value.

As the ship it appeared probable would hold together for some time, we
hunted about until we found as many things as we could carry likely to
be of use. Among others, were a pocket compass, a knife apiece, and
other things. Tubbs produced a cooked ham and a box of biscuits, which
were divided and put into some canvas bags well suited for the purpose.
We were still engaged in our search, when a loud crashing sound reached
our ears. We rushed on deck, and found that the sea had made a breach
clean through the ship. Fortunately the raft was secured to the after
part. We quickly lowered ourselves down on it, and shoved off in time
to escape another sea, which came rolling in, and committed further
damage, sending fragments of the wreck floating about in the
comparatively smooth water between us and the shore. We had great
difficulty in avoiding the pieces of timber which were driven towards
our frail raft. Every moment it seemed as if we were about to be
overwhelmed. On looking towards the beach, we found that the blacks had
disappeared, with the exception of one man, who stood ready to assist us
in getting on shore. A few more hauls on the raft, and we, with our
packs, were able to spring on the sand, the black seizing our hands as
we did so, one after the other, and dragging us up out of the seething
water, which came foaming up around us.

CHAPTER SEVEN.

THE BLACK ABOH REMAINS WITH OUR PARTY--THE MARCH TOWARDS THE FOREST--
CHARLEY CHOSEN LEADER--SUFFERINGS FROM THIRST--WE FIND TRACES OF THE
BLACKS--AN ENEMY AT HAND--BATTLE BETWEEN THE NATIVES--FLIGHT AND PURSUIT
OF THE BEATEN PARTY--FEAR OF BEING CAPTURED--WE CONCEAL OURSELVES--I AND
ABOH ATTEMPT TO SUCCOUR THE WOUNDED--WE REJOIN OUR FRIENDS AND PUSH
FORWARD--OUR THIRST BECOMES INTENSE--I AM ON THE POINT OF SINKING--
ENCOURAGED BY HARRY, I STRUGGLE ON--WATER DISCOVERED--ABOH'S
DUCK-HUNTING--NAPPING ON GUARD--THE BIG SNAKE--WE DECIDE ON THE ROUTE TO
BE TAKEN--MAKING HATS.

Our first impulse on reaching dry ground was to kneel down and thank
Heaven for having mercifully preserved our lives, the black standing by
and watching us with a wondering look as we did so. We rose to our
feet.

"Where are the rest?" I asked of the friendly negro, whom I recognised
to be Aboh, the man to whom I had given water in the slaver's hold, and
whom I had just set at liberty.

He pointed over his shoulder