This, however, was only after the river became tidal and swept up against us.
When at length we would put off again in a homeward direction, I sang many little _chansons_ to my fair companions.

The one that pleased them most, having regard to our position, commenced-- "Filez, filez, mon beau navire, Car la bonheur m'attend la bas." Whenever the girls appeared to be brooding over the terrible misfortunes they had undergone, I would tell them my own story, which deeply affected them.

They would often weep with tender sympathy over the series of catastrophes that had befallen me.

They sang to me, too--chiefly hymns, however--such as "Rock of Ages," "Nearer, my God, to Thee," "There is a Happy Land," and many others.

We were constantly meeting new tribes of natives, and for the most part were very well received.