ulars. They had undergone a
fearful amount of suffering even before they were cast ashore, and a
still greater amount afterwards. It is surprising, indeed, that poor
Miss Rowley should have survived so long on the raft; and we all,
indeed, had cause to be thankful that we had been preserved from similar
sufferings.

As soon as part of the buffalo flesh had been divided among our
half-famished party, and had been cooked and eaten, we inspanned and
pushed on to join Mr Ramsay's caravan. Though there was little chance
of our being pursued by the hostile natives, I was very thankful when at
length the fires of his camp appeared in sight. Terence O'Brien had
galloped on to announce our coming, and he now came up with loud whoops
and cries, followed by most of his party, from whom we received the
warmest welcome. We had still, however, a long journey before us; but
the road was known, the fountains were within moderate distances of each
other, and the natives were friendly. Mr Ramsay had been successful
both in hunting and trading, and the large piles of huge elephant and
hippopotamus tusks, lion and panther skins, and other articles, rather
excited Donald Fraser's envy. "However," he observed to me, as he
looked at his fellow-trader's well-filled waggons, "I have had the
satisfaction of rescuing you and your friends, Mr Crawford, out of as
dangerous a position as travellers in Africa can well be placed in, and
I have no reason to complain of the liberality of your generous friend,
Senhor Silva."

We at length reached Walfish Bay, where we found a vessel, the _Flying
Fish_, just on the point of sailing for the Cape. The Rowleys and
Terence O'Brien were, however, so enamoured of their hunting life, that
they determined to start off into the wilds again on their own account.
Our kind, noble-minded, and generous friend, Senhor Silva, here bade us
good-bye, intending to wait for a vessel which was expected to call in
on her way to Saint Paul de Loando. He shook my hand warmly.

"I am a widower, as you know, and I had a hope, I confess, which I must
not speak of, for I see that it is vain," he said. "You will think of
me, and so will your sweet cousin, I trust, sometimes; and I shall be
truly glad to hear of your happiness."

We all embarked on board the _Flying Fish_, hoping at length, after all
our adventures, to reach our destination in safety. I had made up my
mind to settle on shore, and assist my cousins in cu