em and are prepared to resist aggression, they will seldom
venture on an attack."

The knowledge that we had a number of natives in our neighbourhood, who
might possibly be evil-affected, greatly changed the sense of security
we had hitherto enjoyed. Although, as far as we were aware, they had
not found out the Castle, they might do so at any moment, and come and
attack us. We agreed, therefore, never to leave it in future without
defenders. We accordingly formed ourselves into two parties. While one
went out hunting, or exploring, or working at the canoe, the other was
to remain in the fortress for its protection.

Stanley, who always considered it best to meet danger in the face, or,
as our Portuguese friend had said, "to take the bull by the horns," was
anxious forthwith to pay a visit to our neighbours. He begged Senhor
Silva to accompany him, and chose myself and Chickango to be of the
party; while David, Timbo, and Jack, with the two boys, were left to
protect the young ladies. To increase the strength of our fort, we had
driven stout poles all round it, and formed what Jack called ports along
the walls, through which our muskets could be fired.

"Do not be afraid, Stanley," said Leo, as we were preparing to set off.
"If the blacks come, we will render a good account of them. Natty and I
can now fire a musket as well as any of you, and we have been teaching
Kate and Bella. We will beat them off, depend on it."

"I do not think the blacks will come," said Natty; "but if they do, I
think we ought to fight. There is no doubt about that."

Natty was always more quiet in his remarks than his friend, but I felt
sure there was quite as much mettle in him. With our guns on our
shoulders, our friends cheering us, we marched down the hill towards the
negro village. Senhor Silva had brought a couple of swords, one of
which he wore, and the other Stanley had girded to his side, while
Chickango and I carried spears. Stanley had in addition his pistols
stuck in his belt. Altogether we presented a tolerably warlike
appearance, sufficient, we hoped, to make the savages treat us with
respect. After proceeding for some distance we found a native path,
which, Chickango said, led to the village. He and I by this time were
able to converse pretty well, I having learned some of his language, and
he having picked up a good many words of English. We did not always, to
be sure, understand what each other said, but we m