a moment longer. The
negroes will very likely pass this way, and either kill us all or carry
us off into captivity," observed Charley. "I have heard that the black
people in this part of the country are among the most savage of the
African tribes, and that some--the Fans--are cannibals. I don't know to
what tribe Aboh belongs, but I hope he is not a Fan."

"Maybe he is, and intends to deliver us to his countrymen, to serve as a
feast given to celebrate his safe return to the bosom of his family,"
said Tom, in a tone half in joke half in earnest.

"He has hitherto shown only good feelings, and we will trust him, at all
events," said Charley.

He made signs to Aboh that we wished to move on, and being anxious to
find water, we begged that he would lead us to it as soon as possible.
He nodded, and pointed to the east. We were too thirsty to hesitate
about going in that direction, although we should thus be led farther
than we wished from the coast.

We accordingly once more set off, Aboh hurrying us along as fast as we
could make our way through the thick forest, stopping at first every now
and then to listen as the sound of distant firing was heard, and then
apparently to ascertain whether any of the blacks were coming towards
us. Aboh's object was evidently to avoid both parties. It was most
likely that the slaves whom he had deserted would murder him for having
left them, while the people of the other tribe were probably hereditary
enemies of his, and would without ceremony have put him to death. We
were by this time very hungry as well as thirsty, but our thirst
prevented us from eating, and we urged Aboh to endeavour to find water
without delay. He merely pointed eastward, and nodded his head as
before.

"Well, keep moving, my black angel; whatever you do, keep moving, and
lead us to the water," said Tubbs, patting him on the back.

We marched chiefly under the shade of the forest trees, where we found
it tolerably cool; at the same time, as Tom observed--"In the opening
the sun was hot enough to roast an ox."

At last I felt that I could go on no longer. I threw myself down at the
roots of a large tree. Harry, who was marching with me, while the rest
were ahead, endeavoured to rouse me up.

"No, no," I said; "go on. If you find water, bring me some, though I
doubt if I shall be alive by that time;" and I spoke as I felt.

"Nonsense!" cried Harry. "You are the last person of the party I should