a short distance with us. The
black had on no other garment but the usual white cloth, showing that he
belonged to one of the wild tribes to the west. He ran his canoe right
up on the bank, and then without hesitation stepped out, carrying a
spear in one hand, a quiver of arrows on his back, and a bow in the
other. We allowed him to advance some distance, until suddenly he came
in sight of Tom and Aboh engaged in making up the fire. Immediately
stopping, he was about to fix an arrow in his bow, when Charley and I
showed ourselves. On seeing us he retreated a few paces, and then fell
to the ground overcome by terror. Charley and I, wishing to reassure
him, advanced as Harry came up to him.

The black, seizing his foot, placed it on his neck in token of
submission. So sudden was the movement that Harry, who could not
prevent him from doing this, was nearly upset, and would have been so
had not he supported himself by his rifle. On this I turned round and
shouted to Aboh to come and interpret for us. As Aboh approached,
Charley and I stooped down and lifted up the negro, who was still
trembling with alarm, though we endeavoured by the tone of our voices
and our gestures to reassure him.

"Come, Aboh, come; let him know that we are friends," cried my brother.

Aboh hurried up. As he got near he stopped, gazing with astonished
looks at the stranger, uttering a few words unintelligible to us. The
stranger answered in the same language. Soon they began to speak more
rapidly, stepping towards each other; then suddenly with loud
exclamations of delight they sprang forward, and throwing themselves
into each other's arms, burst out into tears.

"Brodder! him brodder!" shouted out Aboh, turning round to us to signify
that he had found a relative.

This was indeed satisfactory, as the stranger would be able to render us
all the assistance we required. His canoe, however, was but a small
one, and certainly would not convey all the party across the lake.

"We shall still have to build one, unless our friend here can find us
another," said Charley. "I think a better plan would be to get Aboh and
his brother to ferry Tom across the lake while we march round and find
our way to his village."

On explaining our proposal to Aboh, he had a long palaver with his
brother. The result was not satisfactory.

"Bad man dere," he said, pointing to the eastern end of the lake.

"What do you advise, then?" asked Charley.