about
to lead it down to the water, than the poor creature, giving a
convulsive shudder, fell to the ground, and in a few minutes was dead,
having faithfully performed its duty to the last. I felt more sad than
I could have supposed it possible, as I assisted my uncle and Jan in
drawing away the carcase from the camp. We had not dragged it far,
before some natives arrived, who relieved us of all further trouble,
saying that they would take it to their camp, and eat it in spite of its
having died from the effects of the tsetse poison, which we warned them
was the case.

My uncle told me that he had prepared a raft, which would convey us and
our goods down the river to where Mr Welbourn's camp was situated, and
that he had engaged a couple of canoes and a party of natives to
accompany us. Instead of the howling of wild beasts, we were serenaded
during the night by the shouts of laughter and songs of the blacks
feasting on the carcase of the poor ox. It was quite as well, however,
that it should be eaten by them, as by jackals, which would have been
its fate had it died in the wilderness.

Next morning, assisted by the blacks, we carried our goods down to the
river, where we found a curious raft constructed of reeds. It appeared
to me loosely thrown together, somewhat like the top of a floating
haystack. My uncle said that the natives had formed it by throwing on
the calm water a number of reeds, which were interlaced together. Then
others were added, until the lower sank by the weight of those pressed
upon them, it being built up until it rose to a sufficient height above
the surface to bear as many men and as much cargo as it was required to
carry. In the centre was stuck a mast to which a sail made of skins,
was twisted, while a long oar projecting astern served to guide it.
Notwithstanding the assurances of the natives that it was fit to perform
a long voyage, I was glad of the attendance of the canoes.

All things being ready, amid the shouts of the people on shore, we
shoved off, and, being towed cut into the stream by the canoes, set
sail. Considering the clumsy nature of our raft, we glided on with
great rapidity, the canoemen having to paddle pretty hard to keep up
with us.

It was pleasant to be reclining at our ease, and to be borne along
without having to exert ourselves. The voyage, however, was not without
its dangers. Now and then a huge hippopotamus would show its ugly head
alongside, threa