When the fire has burnt low we will lay a cloth over the top of the boat, so that the glow of the embers will not be seen." They kept their course near the middle of the river; partly because the current there was stronger, partly because any war canoes that might be coming up would keep close to one bank or the other.

They kept on their way until there was a faint gleam of light in the sky; and then paddled into the shore, chose a spot where some bushes drooped down into the water and, forcing the canoe in behind these, so as to be entirely concealed from the sight of any passing boat, cooked some food and, having eaten their breakfast, lay down and slept until evening.
Illustration: They forced the canoe behind bushes, so as to be entirely concealed.
Night after night the journey was continued.

Their supply of food was ample to last them; and there was, therefore, no occasion to stop at any village to purchase more.

The river, at the point where they started, was about two miles wide; but at some points it was double that width, while at others it contracted to little over a mile.

Its level was much lower, now, than it had been when Stanley ascended it, two months before.