ening
intently, and I certainly fancied that once or twice I detected a faint
sound like that of a paddle stroke, but I could not be certain; and as
to seeing anything, that was utterly out of the question.

"Find Warren, and tell him to bring a port-fire on deck, and light it,"
said I. "It can do no harm to take a look round, just to satisfy
ourselves; and it is never safe to trust these savages too much. Look
alive, Roberts; moments may be precious if it be as you suspect."

"Ay, ay, sir," answered the man, as he trundled away forward to find the
gunner. And meanwhile, as it was evident that a heavy downpour was
imminent, I roused up Gowland, and we carried our mattresses below, I
repeating to him, as we went, what Roberts had told me.

By the time that we got back on deck again the gunner was aft, waiting
for us, with the port-fire all ready in his hand, and I instructed him
to go aloft as far as the fore-cross-trees and light it there. A few
seconds elapsed, and then, with startling distinctness, came down to us
the cry--

"All ready, sir, with the port-fire!"

"Then light it at once," answered I, "and we will see what there is to
be seen."

The livid, blue-white glare of the port-fire almost instantly burst
forth, shedding its unearthly radiance far across the glassy, swirling
surface of the rushing stream, and by its light we saw a startling sight
indeed, the schooner being surrounded by a flotilla of at least twenty
large canoes, each manned by from thirty to forty dusky warriors, fully
armed with spears, bows, and war-clubs. They were about a cable's
length from us, and had evidently taken up their positions with the
utmost care, so that they might close in upon and reach us
simultaneously, as they were now doing. As the brilliant light of the
port-fire blazed forth, a shout of astonishment, not very far removed
from dismay, burst from the occupants of the canoes, and a momentary
tendency to sheer off precipitately became apparent; but this was
instantly checked by a loud and authoritative call from the largest
canoe--the voice sounding very much like that of Matadi himself--and
with an answering yell the savages at once turned the bows of their
canoes toward the schooner and began to paddle for dear life.

"Call all hands," shouted I, "and pipe to quarters. Pass the word that
the men are not to wait to dress. Another minute and the savages will
be upon us!"

The men needed no second order; the