310 THE FOREST AND THE FIELD. 



in order to make a trip up the River Gambia in 

 the "Dover," a Colonial Government steamer, which 

 was to take troops for the relief of the detach- 

 ment at Macarthy's Island, about 180 miles from 

 Bathurst. I should have gladly availed myself of 

 this courtesy at any other time, but now I was 

 obliged to decline it, as I wanted to get to the 

 Gaboon before the rainy season had set in. The 

 next morning (January 9th), after breakfast, we 

 bade adieu to our kind host and hostess, and 

 returned on board. At 3.30 a.m. the anchor was 

 weighed and we were once more en pleine mer. 



The sea was smooth, the weather delightful, 

 and we had good fellows on board, so time passed 

 very pleasantly. Freeman and I had become great 

 friends, we had both been wanderers in Eastern 

 Lands, and loved to talk over old days and our 

 doings amongst " the Faithful." 



" Those joyous hours are past away^ 

 And many a heart that then was gay, 

 Deep in the tomb now darkly dwells ; 

 As my lone state too sadly tells." 



