mportant that boys should learn to swim, ride, and
row, if they are to go out into the world. I must give them regular
shooting lessons. They will then be able to use their guns to advantage
when called upon to do so."

As soon as breakfast was over we hurried down to the canoe. The outside
was now completed, and there was ample work for all hands in cutting out
the inside. We commenced with axes, clearing away as much of the wood
as we could. When this was done, we lighted a fire. We had some pieces
of bar iron: these were made red hot, and we were thus able to smooth
away the parts the axe could not so well reach.

CHAPTER SEVEN.

WE MAKE THE ACQUAINTANCE OF OUR NEIGHBOURS.

We were working away at the canoe: the boys keeping the fire up; the
rest of us heating the irons and burning out the inside; Jack amusing
himself and us by singing a sea-song to the tune of "Come, cheer up, my
lads;" while Chickango was indulging himself in shouting a native ditty
of which we could neither make out the words nor very clearly the
tune,--it had reference, I fancy, to our canoe-building, to which he was
wishing all manner of success. Suddenly a loud, trumpeting sound
saluted our ears; and looking round to ascertain whence it came, we saw
far away in the forest a huge elephant, which we naturally concluded had
been attracted by our voices. He stood whisking his ears and holding
his trunk out in a somewhat threatening manner. Our guns stood against
the trees at some little distance. Chickango gave a warning shout.

"Hide behind the trees, or climb up the nearest you can reach," said
Senhor Silva.

Stanley seemed in no way disposed to follow this advice, but rushed to
his gun.

"Come, boys! come with me," cried Jack, "and we will be up a tree."

Timbo followed Jack and the two boys. Jack sprang up to a low bough of
a tree, and then, stooping down, with Timbo's aid helped up the boys.
David had some time before this gone back to the Castle to remain with
his sisters. Senhor Silva also seized his gun, and ran off to a
distance. Chickango rushed behind a stout tree; whilst I, seizing my
weapon, stood by Stanley's side. Just then I recollected that it was
only loaded with small shot, which, of course, would not have been of
the slightest avail against the monstrous animal. Again the elephant
sent forth a loud trumpeting, and rushed towards us. Stanley took aim
and fired, but whether the animal was struck or not