MRS. WILTON.  “Crossing the line is no longer a novelty to such experienced voyagers as we are, and I think Dora may carry us on to our next station without further remark.”

DORA.  “The Gulf of Guinea.”

MR. WILTON.  “Plenty of sea-room there, Dora; but I hope we are to keep along the coast, for with the exception of Fernando Po and St. Thomas’s, I know of no place where I should feel disposed to go ashore.”

MRS. WILTON.  “We are on a coasting expedition, although, for the furtherance of science, we occasionally sail out of the direct track; and as, in this instance, the mention of your inclination to visit these two islands implies some knowledge of their situation, we expect you will furnish the meeting with the requisite information.”

MR. WILTON.  “Your mamma is very sharp upon me, George.  Take warning by my case, and do not interfere with the pilot.”

GEORGE.  “Ha, capital!  Now, papa, Ferdinand Po!”

MR. WILTON.  “Our sojourn there will be very brief; not because the island is deficient in fertility, but simply because the society of the natives would be intolerable to civilized noses.  They are the filthiest people in the whole world.  Words cannot convey an idea of their disgusting nature.  They have long hair matted together with red clay and palm oil.  This composition has a most outrageous smell, and with it they smear their faces and bodies.  They are, generally speaking, a stout, athletic, well made race of people, and particularly harmless in their dispositions, though from their appearance you would not imagine that to be the case, as each individual is always armed with a spear about eight feet in length, made of hard wood, and barbed at each end; which, added to their fierce color and smell, would daunt the courage of a more enlightened savage.

“St. Thomas’s should have been first, as it is nearer the equator.  It is one of the four Guinea Islands; Prince’s Island and Anaboa will make up the number.  I know very little of it, except that it helps to furnish the Portuguese shipping with provisions and fresh water.  Now I have satisfied the demands of the meeting, and will promise not to interfere again.”

CHARLES.  “I shall be rejoiced at your interference, sir, if it always have the effect of bringing out your stores; and, now I am pilot for a short time, I beg to state that I shall not require any apology, should you interrupt me in the discharge of my duty, but be thankful for the same.

“Fernando Po.  It is in the Bight of Biafra, the coast of which bight is thus described by Dr. Bayle:—­’This coast is forbidding in its aspect, dangerous to approach, repulsive when examined, and disgusting when known.’  There:  that is not a very inviting account:  had we not better sail on?  Who cries forward?”

“Forward all,” exclaimed Mr. Stanley; and Charles was about to proceed, when George interrupted him to inquire if the chimpanzee were not a native of these parts.