FROM BUSSA TO THE SEA 469 go wrong, and I was on the very point of shouting to Baudry to give up his plan, but it was really such a splendid piece of daring, such a thoroughly sailor-like thing to do, that I refrained. Yet once more, thank God, we succeeded, coming off with flying colours.

Slowly the Aibe loosened her moorings, and the current at first took her gently down, then quicker and ever quicker she rushed along as she crossed the Dantec. Bravo ! the rope, flung with unerring aim, fell right into her bow. " Let go all ! " and the Aube and Datitec plunged into the rapid. Will they be able to shoot it in safety ? The shouts of the excited coolies reach me above the roar of the water. The doctor and Bluzet have each taken an oar. For a moment I thought all the boats would be flung against the rocks on the left, which would have been their complete destruction ; but the next I saw them gradually bearing to the right. At last they were through, all danger past !

The Aube, swept on by the current, could not stop near the Davousty and there was yet another rapid, quite a small one, below the village. She passed it without difficulty, and went to anchor some hundred yards down-stream, where we hastened to join her.

We had done with the rapids now, and not one of us was missing, not one of our boats had been lost. We clasped each other's hands without a word.

But our excitement gradually subsided, and we shouted, " Filey, get us some breakfast ; and mind you do your best ! " We started again about two o'clock, and half-an-hour later we were opposite Leba, where floats the white flag of the Royal Niger Company, with its ship and the circle cut across by three rays, bearing the motto, Pax, Jus, Ajs.

Here we had to meet our last danger. What would the English do ? I awaited them with composure, for it is we