, unless we could manage to
find a canoe in which to cross the lake. Harry and I, as soon as we
were on foot, took our guns, accompanied by Aboh, in search of game for
breakfast. We soon came upon a number of ducks, and were fortunate in
killing half a dozen in three shots, two being brought to the ground
each time we fired. We did not forget the crocodiles, nor did Aboh, who
was very wary when picking up the birds. As we made our way through the
forest, I was especially struck by the variety and luxuriance of the
trees and shrubs, the number of vines which hung from the branches in
wreaths and festoons, the length of the leaves, some rising from the
ground, others forming crowns on the summits of tall trees, surmounted
by flowers of bright red or yellow or blue.

"Dere, massa, what you 'tink dat?" said Aboh, throwing himself on the
ground as if to contemplate at his ease the magnificent tree before
which we stood. "Him 'board ship worth many tusks."

"What tree is it?" I asked.

It was certainly one of the finest and most graceful trees we had yet
met with in the African forest. Its leaves were long, sharp-pointed,
and dark green, hanging in large clusters. Its bark was also a dark
green and very smooth. The trunk rose straight and clean to the height
of sixty feet or more, from whence large leafy branches projected to a
considerable distance. Aboh pointed to his own skin and then laughed.

"He means that it's an ebony tree, and so I'm sure it is," said Harry.
"It is one of those articles we were to have procured."

On examining the tree we found that it was hollow, and Aboh made us
understand that the branches also were hollow. On cutting through the
bark we came to some white wood, which at first puzzled us. We expected
to have found it black, but Aboh made signs that we were to cut deeper
into it, and we thus ascertained that the white wood was simply sap
wood, and that farther in the wood was perfectly black. We found
several others of the same description growing around; and we agreed
that if we could fall in with some friendly natives, we would advise
them to cut the trees down, and should any navigable river exist running
out of the lake, to convey them to its mouth, where they could be
embarked. We, however, had to hurry back to cook our ducks for
breakfast. We continued keeping our poor companion's ankle constantly
wetted, but, to our disappointment, even the next day he was unable to
do mo