ntain stronghold; and your father
will, I hope, lose no time in rebuilding his house."

On consulting with Kanimapo as to the best route to take, we found that
he intended to proceed for some distance along the level ground, through
the forests, and by the shores of the lake; then, having made a circuit,
to strike up to the left among the mountains. We should thus avoid the
risk of falling into the hands of any scouts sent out by Aqualonga; and
though the route was longer, we might easily reach the region to which
he wished to conduct us. Game, he said, was abundant; and there was a
cavern of considerable dimensions, which would afford us ample
accommodation, surrounded by inaccessible rocks, the only pathway amid
which was little known and might be easily guarded.

It may seem strange that my father and Tim, who had resided so long in
the country, should not be well acquainted with every part far and wide
around; but the difficulties and dangers of traversing these mountain
districts are so great, that few white men are tempted to go out of the
beaten track, and they are consequently known only to more daring
hunters and a few of the Indian natives.

Before we started, we sent off the villagers with the wounded men and
all our own blacks, with the exception of one--a faithful fellow named
Chumbo, who had been chiefly instrumental in the capture of the traitor
Gab, and had frequently exhibited great affection for us. We did not
even let him know the route we had determined to take, and the rest of
the party believed that we should at once strike up into the mountains.
Indeed, we proceeded a short distance in that direction, and then halted
till the rest were out of hearing.

My father, Gerald, Tim, and I carried firearms; but our scanty supply of
powder would prevent us using them except in cases of emergency. Chumbo
had a long pike and the usual knife of the country; while Kanimapo was
armed with his bow and spear. We could thus defend ourselves against
any wild animals, though we might offer but a slight resistance to a
body of human foes.

Silently we moved on through the darkness, Kanimapo and Gerald leading
the way, and I bringing up the rear, while my father and our two
attendants walked by the side of our mother and Norah, with Josefa and
the children.

Morning dawned as we were travelling along the side of the lake, between
which was some forest which would conceal us from the view of any
persons on