Part 38 (1/2)

CHAPTER XVI

ACROSS THE LAGOON

As the night ca hosts of birds with loud scoldings to their chosen roosting-places-- for out of those myriads of trees only certain trees were selected-- the boat was put in near the right bank The levers were muffled, and the ”lookout,” with a bill-hook ready to fend off any snag, and a bull's-eye lantern to shoot a sudden light, took up his position in the bows She crept on slowly through the pitch darkness, the crew easing off at tie of a hippo, the snort of an angry bull, the swirl of a fish, or the cry of an otter from the bank In one of these silences a whisper ca; and he flashed the bull's-eye on the bank

The others, glancing along the strea muzzle, and the tips of curved horns

”A buffalo,” whispered Mr Hume

As the boat drifted slowly past, they watched the bright eyes, and the eyes of the animal followed them Out of the intense blackness only those points were visible--the lu muzzle, and the tips of the horns The rest was left to the iy forest bull, his fore feet on the brink of the water, and his head thrown up

”What a picture for a flash-light photo!” ly

”What a hed Mr Hume ”And red meat would be very welcome”'

As they slipped away the buffalo snorted, crashed into the forest, and battered his way on a course parallel to theht, for presently they heard his snort again A little further on a bull hippo charged at theht full in his eyes stopped him, and he reulf bristling with ivory Mr Hume, who had picked up his Express at the first snort, laid it down again with a laugh

”Took the fight out of hi; but it's a little risky”

”Keeps one wide awake, at any rate,” said Compton

”We'll continue for an hour or so and then tie up, for we may have a heavy day to-morrow”

For a couple of h the dark without incident, and then the look-out signalled another discovery

”Light ahead!”

The Okapi was brought broadside on, so that the crew could have a clear view of the river; and they sat for soe object--a tiny but steady glow of fire

”Shut off the bull's-eye, Venning We'll make for mid-stream, and approach the fire with caution”

The boat moved out into the current, then worked up very tenderly while Venning steered, with his eyes fixed on that little speck of red Slowly they advanced, cautiously were the levers pulled over and shot back, so that there should be no noise, and silently the sht travels far, and they seeht in a boat,” muttered the lookout

The others slowed up, and they listened, but they heard no sound of paddles, only innus from the woods

”It is stationary,” said Mr Hume, ”and ashore, as you may see from its fixity Beep her away We can't be too careful”

Theycare not to keep their eyes solely upon the fire; for a light is a good lure to draw the careless into an aer in a different quarter

”I can't see any one about,” said Venning, as using the night- glasses

In complete silence they came at last opposite the fire, but no sooner had they passed it than it went out

”Put her round,” whispered Mr Hume

The boat answered her helm like a well-trained horse, and they went back on their course to see if they could fetch the light again