.

"On we rowed, but could find no place where we could land. At last we
came to the mouth of a smaller river which ran into the larger one.
After going some way, we saw an open space on the shore covered with
what looked in the distance like a number of bee-hives standing on posts
several feet above the ground. On getting nearer, we discovered that
they were houses, and that a number of ugly black-looking fellows were
moving about among them. As they saw us they gathered on the bank,
flourishing their bows and spears, showing, as we feared, that they
would very likely kill us if they got us into their power. Some of our
people proposed pulling back, but where were we to go to? We were faint
from hunger and thirst, we had not seen a spot where we could land to
obtain food, and we had the raging sea barring the mouth of the river.
We were caught in a trap, we had no arms to defend ourselves with, and
our only chance, therefore, was to make friends with the savages.

"`Come lads,' said the mate, `we will try what we can do--they may not
be as bad as they look.'

"He stood up in the boat, and spread out his hands wide to show that we
had no arms, then he stretched out one hand as if to shake those of the
black people, then he took off his hat, and waved it and bowed to them,
indeed he did everything he could think of, to show them that we wanted
to be friendly.

"While he was doing this, I and another man, feeling our tongues parched
with thirst, could not help leaning over the side of the boat to take up
some water in our hands, for even though we supposed that it was salt,
it would at all events moisten our lips. It was less salt than we
expected, and soon all of us, as well as the mate, was lapping away at
the water, while, to cool our heads, we threw some of it over them.
What was our surprise, while we were so employed, to see the natives
stoop down and sprinkle their own heads with water, in the same fashion.
Having done this, they placed their bows and spears on the ground, and
beckoned us by signs which we could not mistake to approach.

"`We must chance it, lads,' said the mate, `it is better to be killed
outright by the blacks, than die by inches from hunger and thirst. I am
ready to step on shore first, and you may shove off, and wait till you
see what becomes of me.'

"`I will go with you, sir,' I exclaimed, `and share whatever fate
befalls you.'

"All, on this, agreed to do the same.

"Giving