ar off from the fort to run any risk of their approach being
betrayed by their voices.

"Sweethearts and wives," sung out a voice from one of the boats, and was
taken up by the rest, as the last drop of grog was drained. Murray and
Adair drank the toast heartily, though in a less demonstrative manner
than their companions, who possibly might have been very little troubled
with the thoughts of either wives or sweethearts. No one for the time
dwelt on the somewhat serious work on which they were likely to be
engaged the next day. At length, each man looked out for the softest
plank he could find, and turned in to sleep, the officers enjoying no
more luxurious couches than their inferiors; to some poor fellows it
might be the last rest they were to take here below.

A look-out, however, was kept, in case any of the Arab dhows should slip
down the river. Two of the gigs were sent alternately ahead to watch
for any craft which might come in sight. None, however, were seen, and
just as the first streaks of daylight appeared in the sky, the commodore
gave the order to "pipe to breakfast." Fires were lighted on the
island, and cocoa and coffee warmed up, while another dose of quinine
was served out to each man.

The operation did not take long, and once more the flotilla advanced,
the tide carrying them rapidly up the river. About noon, as the sun was
beating down with tremendous force, Angoxa came in sight, with, as the
commodore had expected from the information he had received, several
dhows at anchor before it under the protection of its guns. Directly
the boats rounded the last point, which had before concealed their
approach, the red flag was hoisted above the fort, and at the same time
the loud sounds of the beating of tom-toms and drums commenced,
continuing incessantly, as if to intimidate the English tars and induce
them to pull back again to their ships.

The men laughed. "What a row them niggers do kick up! I wonder whether
they think we're going back frightened by all their tom-tomming. We'll
show them presently that we've got some chaps aboard which will bark not
a little louder and do a precious deal more harm," exclaimed Ben
Snatchblock, who accompanied Mr Mildmay in one of the _Opal's_ boats.
That young officer took things very coolly. He was observed with his
notebook jotting down his thoughts, but whether in the form of a
poetical effusion or not, Billy Blueblazes, who was beside him, could
no