ast quiet bends of the river that were as still
as ponds, and full of red and white lotus plants which shot up their
lovely blossoms from amidst their floating liliaceous leaves. Trees in
places overhung the water, and great wreaths of blossom or leaves of
dazzling green were reflected on the surface. Insect life was abundant:
burnished beetles and lovely coloured butterflies flitting from flower
to flower. Birds, too, especially waders and great creatures that I
took to be pelicans, were busy in the shallows, where now and then a
great crocodile wallowed through the mud, evidently roused by our
approach, for though we saw several of these creatures, not one gave the
slightest sign of a disposition to attack.

"There, we are not likely to see deer before evening when they come down
to drink," said the doctor. "Let's get back, Joe, my lad, the sun is
not so powerful as it was, and we may as well make a fresh start."

We were about three parts of the way back, finding some fresh object of
interest at every turn, when I suddenly caught hold of my companion's
arm, for a peculiar cry fell upon my ear.

"Something wrong!" exclaimed the doctor, and we set off at a sharp run
where the undergrowth would allow.

A curious sensation of dread came over me, and a cold damp feeling was
on my brow and in the palms of my hands as the cry rose once more--a
singularly doleful cry, as of some one in great peril.

"Are you loaded?" said the doctor, as we ran on, and his voice sounded
hoarse with emotion.

I nodded, for I could not speak, and, full of the idea that our little
camp had been attacked by savages and that some of our followers were
being killed, I ran on.

It was hard work and like running in a nightmare to get back to our
starting-place, for there was always some thorn or tangle that we had
not noticed in our careful advance seeming to stop us on our way; but at
last we came within sight of the spot where we had left Jack Penny, but
he was not there.

"There's something wrong at the camp," I panted.

"Be cool," replied the doctor, "we may have to fire. Try and keep your
nerve. Ah!"

This ejaculation was consequent upon our simultaneously catching sight
of Jack Penny, up to the armpits in the river, holding on by the branch
of a tree.

As he saw us he shouted lustily for help. It was no drawl now, but a
sharp quick shout.

I ran down the bank and the doctor following, we joined hands, when,
catching at Ja