36 THE AFRICAN TRADER.

winged flamingos swept in wide circles, their plum-
age flashing in the sun as they prepared to descend
on one of the many sandbanks in the stream, to
carry on their fishing operations, As we advanced,
now and then a canoe would shoot out from among
the jungle; the black skinned paddlers coming
quickly alongside, to ascertain our character and
the objects for which we wished to trade. Some-
times too we could see troops of monkeys making
their way among the branches, their small grinning
faces peering out at us as we glided by through
some channel near the shore. Hour after hour
thus passed by, but at length, towards evening,
the belt of mangrove bushes diminished in thick-
ness, and other trees of more attractive appearance
began to take their place, and openings appeared
with a few huts scattered about on the slopes of
gently rising ground.

As evening was closing in we caught sight, in
the far distance, of a congregation of huts, and the
pilot gave the captain the welcome information,
that he might shorten sail, and prepare to come to
an anchor. By the time we had made everything
snug darkness closed down upon us. We could
just see a few lights twinkling ahead, while on