Thus they went forward carefully and rapidly.  Sometimes they discovered traces where men or animals had recently passed.  The twisted and broken branches of the brushwood and the thickets afforded an opportunity to walk with a more equal step.  But the greater part of the time numerous obstacles, which they had to overcome, retarded the little party, to Dick Sand’s great disappointment.

There were twisted lianes that might justly be compared with the disordered rigging of a ship, certain vines similar to bent swords, whose blades were ornamented with long thorns, vegetable serpents, fifty or sixty feet long, which had the faculty of turning to prick the passer-by with their sharp spikes.  The blacks, hatchet in hand, cut them down with vigorous blows, but the lianes reappeared constantly, reaching from the earth to the top of the highest trees which they encircled.

The animal kingdom was not less curious than the vegetable kingdom in this part of the province.  Birds flew in vast numbers under these powerful branches; but it will be understood that they had no gunshot to fear from the men, who wished to pass as secretly as rapidly.  There were Guinea fowls in large flocks, heath-cocks of various kinds, very difficult to approach, and some of those birds which the Americans of the North have, by onomatopoeia, called “whip-poor-wills,” three syllables which exactly reproduce their cries.  Dick Sand and Tom might truly have believed themselves in some province of the new continent.  But, alas! they knew what to expect.

Until then the deer, so dangerous in Africa, had not approached the little troop.  They again saw, in this first halt, some giraffes, which Harris had undoubtedly called ostriches.  These swift animals passed rapidly, frightened by the apparition of a caravan in these little-frequented forests.  In the distance, on the edge of the prairie, there arose at times a thick cloud of dust.  It was a herd of buffaloes, which galloped with the noise of wagons heavily laden.

For two miles Dick Sand thus followed the course of the rivulet which must end in a more important river.  He was in haste to confide his companions to the rapid current of one of the coast rivers.  He felt sure that the dangers and the fatigue would be much less than on the shore.

Towards noon three miles had been cleared without any bad incident or meeting.  There was no trace of either Harris or Negoro.  Dingo had not reappeared.  It was necessary to halt to take rest and nourishment.

The encampment was established in a bamboo thicket, which completely sheltered the little party.

They talked very little during this repast.  Mrs. Weldon had taken her little boy in her arms; she could not take her eyes off of him; she could not eat.

“You must take some nourishment, Mrs. Weldon,” Dick Sand repeated several times.  “What will become of you if your strength gives out?  Eat, eat!  We will soon start again, and a good current will carry us without fatigue to the coast.”