448 
AFRICA AND ITS EXPLORATION. 
another island, which was uninhabited, and, after 
descending by a narrow channel, we crossed the mouth 
of a stream about twenty -five yards wide, flowing from 
the west side, in which were several small canoes and 
some dozen fishermen, lifting their nets from among 
the sedge. 
At noon of this day we came to the southern end of 
an uninhabited low and sandy island, where I ascertained 
the latitude to be south 1° 20' 3". The altitude, above 
sea-level, of the river at this place is 1729 feet. 
South of this position we struck across to the right 
bank again and discovered a small river forty yards 
wide at the mouth, nearly opposite which, about mid- 
stream, are five low and bush-covered islets. After 
descending some five miles we formed our camp in the 
woods on the right bank. 
The beginning of the new year, 1877, commenced, 
the first three hours after sunrise, with a delicious 
journey past an uninhabited tract, when my mind, 
wearied with daily solicitude, found repose in dwelling 
musingly upon the deep slumber of Nature. Outwardly 
the forest was all beauty, solemn peace, and soft dreamy 
rest, tempting one to sentiment and mild melancholy. 
Though it was vain to endeavour to penetrate with our 
eyes into the dense wall of forest — black and impervious 
to the sunlight which almost seemed to burn up the 
river — what could restrain the imagination ? These 
were my calm hours, periods when my heart, oblivious 
of the dark and evil days we had passed, resolutely 
closed itself against all dismal forebodings, and revelled 
in the exquisite stillness of the uninhabited wilderness. 
But soon after nine o’clock we discovered we were 
approaching settlements, both on islands and on the 
banks, and again the hoarse war-drums awaked the 
echoes of the forest, boomed along the river, and 
quickened our pulses. 
We descend in close order as before, and steadily 
pursue our way. But, heading us off, about ten long- 
canoes dart out from the shadow of palmy banks, and 
the wild crews begin to chant their war-songs, and now 
