[Note: this transcription was produced by an automatic OCR engine]

SANTO I 39

upon they all ran away, with the exception of the
ringleader of the mutineers of the last few days, who
sat down on the box containing the trading-stock
and said they had better go and see whether I was
really dead before plundering my luggage. The situa-
tion must have grown rather strained, until some one
had the good sense to go and look out for us, where-
upon he saw us sitting peacefully near the river
below. This calmed the natives, they withdrew, much
disappointed, and my boys returned and prepared
everything for my arrival with remarkable zeal. I
found dry clothes ready, and tea boiling, and was
quite touched by so much thoughtfulness. I was not
told of the day’s occurrence till after my return to the
coast, and perhaps it was just as well.

By this time I had seen a good part of south-east
Santo, and I was eager to visit the south—west, with
Santo Peak. But without guides and with marked
symptoms of home-sickness on the part of my boys, I
decided it would not be wise to attempt it. The news
that we were going to start for home revived the boys
at once. With enormous alacrity they packed up
next day and raced homeward with astonishing speed
and endurance ; I had had to drag them along before,
now I could hardly keep up with them. In two days
we had reached the plain of the Jordan, had a delight-
ful swim and a jolly last night in camp, free from
pigs, dogs, fowls, fleas and bugs,—but not from
mosquitoes!

The last day we strolled in and along the river,
through the forest swarming with wild pigs and