they paddled sang a low
monotonous song, more like a dirge. What it was about we could not
tell. By looking back we saw that we had got some distance from the
land, although we appeared not to have approached nearer the opposite
shore, which still remained as indistinct as before. After some time
the blacks ceased their song, and I saw them gazing round at the sky,
the appearance of which was rapidly changing. The sun suddenly
disappeared behind a dark bank of cloud coming up from the west, and a
leaden hue overspread the hitherto sparkling water, at the same time
that a strong wind began to blow. This soon broke the hitherto tranquil
lake into hissing wavelets, which continually toppled over into the
canoe. Aboh, turning round, handed to each of us a bason formed from a
gourd, and made signs that we should bale out the water as it came in.
He and his companions then redoubled their efforts. I caught a glimpse
of his countenance as he turned round; it showed that he was far from
satisfied with the appearance of the weather. I asked Charley what he
thought about the matter.

"I'm afraid that we are going to have a gale; and if so, a nasty sea
will get up, and we shall be obliged to heave our cargo overboard,
although we will not do so until it becomes absolutely necessary."

Every instant the wind increased, and the blacks paddled harder and
harder. At present it was on our beam, although, should it come ahead,
we should make but little progress, or perhaps be compelled to run back
to the place we had left. Notwithstanding the threatening aspect of the
weather, Aboh and his companions seemed determined to continue their
course. The water kept tumbling on board, but we continued baling it
out as fast as we could.

"I'm afraid that we must heave the birds and venison overboard," said
Charley.

I made Aboh understand what we proposed doing.

"No, no," was the answer; "dat all right."

He and his companions paddled on bravely for another half hour. By this
time it had become perfectly dark, and we could not discover the land
ahead, but the black fellows seemed to guide their course by instinct,
for I could see no welcoming beacon on the shore. To our satisfaction
the wind did not increase, though the canoe tumbled about a good deal,
and not for a moment were we able to cease baling. The blacks paddled
on bravely through the pitchy darkness. Suddenly a flash of lightning
burst from the clouds, followed