e decided again to make our way
onward. The moon gave us sufficient light to discover the path, and
also guide us in the right direction. Next morning Charley fortunately
killed a deer, which gave us an abundant supply of food for that day,
while our native allies found a number of berries and other fruits. As
they ate them readily, we gladly followed their example, for a meat
diet, especially under the burning sun of Africa, is far from
satisfactory. Thus for several days we went on, occasionally seeing
natives, but keeping out of their sight, and avoiding the villages in
which we were more likely to find enemies than friends. We were
mounting a high hill, when Harry, who had just reached the top, cried
out--

"Hurrah, there's a river, I caught sight of the bright stream between
the trees."

We hurried forward, and could see here and there among the dark foliage
the glitter of water in little patches, which extended a considerable
distance to the westward. We had great hopes that this really was a
river by which we might reach the sea. The scene was a beautiful one.
Although the country was chiefly occupied by forests, there were open
spaces visible, looking like green meadows, and to the right, downs
which reminded us of our own dear England. While we were gazing at it a
herd of graceful deer bounded across one of the nearest meadows. In
another open space I could see a couple of elephants plucking the leaves
with their huge trunks from the trees, and a small baby elephant
frolicking near them. As far as we could ascertain, there were no human
habitations, but they might be concealed by the forest, and the distance
to the river, where villages were likely to be found, was considerable.
Our great object now was to secure two or three canoes, in which we
might make our way down the river to the sea. We were, we calculated, a
couple of hundred miles at least from the mouth, and with the windings
the stream probably took it might be half as much again, still, as we
should have the current with us, the navigation might be easily
performed. Our chief danger of interruption would arise from the
inhabitants of any of the villages on the banks, who might take it into
their heads to stop us. However, we hoped by running past these at
night, we might avoid them without having to fight our way.

Ten days had passed since leaving Sanga Tanga's village. Our shoes and
clothing were, as may be supposed, in a slightly