akes, where we were certain to find birds, and probably a variety
of fruits, as so bountifully is that land supplied by nature, that some
fruits are found in perfection all the year round, though we had to go
further than usual to obtain them.

We reached the lake where Kallolo had caught the jacana; and skirting
its shore, we passed along a narrow causeway which separated it from
another lake of smaller dimensions. We were still proceeding, when
Kallolo stopped me, and pointed to a thin column of smoke which arose at
some distance, apparently from a fire kindled close to the shore.

"There must be natives there," he whispered; "but whether they are
likely to prove friends or foes, I cannot say till I have got a sight of
them. Stop here while I wade into the lake; I see by the character of
the water-plants that it is shallow, and by keeping behind the bushes I
may observe them without being seen myself."

He did as he proposed, and, while I remained hidden behind the bushes,
made his way, now swimming, now wading, towards the opening where he had
seen the smoke. I watched him anxiously. He stopped, at length,
resting his hand on a fallen trunk, and looking out eagerly before him;
while I kept an arrow fixed in my bow, ready to shoot should the
strangers discover him. Slowly sinking down, so as the more effectually
to conceal himself, he made his way towards where I anxiously awaited
his return. I saw by the caution he used that he was not satisfied.

"We must hurry away from hence," he whispered. "I saw a large number of
people; and, from their paint and the weapons they carry, I have no
doubt that they are out on a warlike expedition. They probably are not
aware that we are in the neighbourhood, and they may pass by without
discovering us; but if they do so, and find how few we are in number,
they may be tempted to attack us, under the belief that we possess such
articles as they value."

Kallolo said this as we hurried away. We were soon out of sight of the
strangers, but he considered it imprudent to remain in their vicinity;
and although we had collected only a portion of the fruit for which we
had come, and killed but a few birds, we hurried back to the village.

The account we gave made everyone more anxious than ever to get the
vessel ready for sea without delay, so that, should the natives attack
us, we might, as we had no adequate means of defence, hurry on board and
push off into the lake, even t