Page 102 - Adventures in Africa

possible, as I assisted my uncle and Jan in drawing
away the carcase from the camp. We had not
dragged it far, before some natives arrived, who

relieved us of all further trouble, saying that they
would take it to their camp, and eat it in spite of its
having' died from the effects of the tse-tse poison,

which we warned them was the case.
My uncle told me that he had prepared a raft,
which would convey us and our goods down the river

to where Mr, Welboum's camp was situated, and that
he had engaged a pouple of canoes and a party of
natives to accompany us. Instead of the howling of
wild beasts, we were serenaded during the night by

the shouts of laughter and songs of the blacks feasting
on the carcase of the poor ox. It was quite as well,

however, that it should be eaten by them, as by
jackals, which would have been its fate had it died in
the wilderness.
Next morning, assisted by the blacks, we carried

our goods down to the river, where we found a curious
raft constructed of reeds. It appeared to me loosely
thrown together, somewhat like the top of a floating

haystack. My uncle said that the natives had formed
it by throwing on the calm water a number of reeds,
which were interlaced together. Then others were

added, until the lower sank by the weight of those
pressed upon them, it being built up until it rose to a
sufficient height above the surface to bear as many

men and as much cargo as it was required to carry.
In the centre was stuck a mast to which a sail made
of skins was twisted, while a long oar projecting
astern served to guide it. Notwithstanding the