come about, we could not learn. By this time we had expended all our
ammunition, and we hastened to our house to replenish our stock, in
case, by any chance, we might have to use our arms. We felt that our
position was critical, for at any moment our capricious masters might
turn upon us, and we might have to fight for our lives. We had cause,
however, to be grateful to Heaven for our preservation, and for the many
dangers we had gone through safely, as also that we had been enabled to
retain our health, which, in spite of the heat and fatigue we endured,
was excellent. I suspect, however, that had we not been well supplied
with wholesome food and pure water, the case would have been different.
On arriving at our house, we found Shimbo keeping faithful watch and
ward over our property. By his account more than one attempt had been
made to steal it, but he had driven away the thieves, so he said, by
presenting a stick at them, which they mistook for one of our guns. He
could give us no information as to the visitor, nor could Aboh, who went
out, learn more than his brother. There was some mystery about the
matter, that was certain. We were tired and glad to take the supper
which was brought to us already cooked, and consisted of plantains
dressed in a variety of ways, and venison, one dish roasted and another
stewed in lemon juice. Very excellent both were.

Rolling ourselves in our mats, we went to sleep. We had not closed our
eyes long when I heard Charley, who was close to the door, cry out
lustily. At the same instant I felt myself bitten by numberless
creatures crawling over me. Harry and Tom were treated in the same
manner. We all sprang to our feet, and, striking a light, discovered
that the room was full of ants. They came in battle array, a numerous
army pouring in through the door. We rushed out into the garden, where
fortunately we found a spot free from them. Immediately lighting a
fire, we formed it into a wide circle, in the middle of which we took up
our posts. Then helping each other, we were able to relieve ourselves
from our venomous assailants, and as we plucked them off we threw them
into the flames. We soon found that the whole village was attacked, and
that the inhabitants were turning out to defend themselves. They came
not in thousands but in millions, covering the streets and forcing their
way onwards. We saw that fires were lighted in all directions, but
whenever there was no