Part 17 (1/2)
”The Congo is a pretty big streae indeed At its mouth it is about ten miles wide, and it is fro Stanley traced its course after an expedition in which he fought over thirty battles with the natives”
”They e”
”Those in the interior are The natives that live close to the ocean are peaceable enough, so I have been told”
”And how are we going to get there?” asked To to the Congo”
”No, indeed, To firm in New York for infor,” was the answer
It can well be iht
In the raphed to Putnam Hall for their trunks, and also let Captain Putnaan preparations for such a tour as none of them had ever before anticipated
Word came from New York in the early afternoon hly satisfactory to Randolph Rover The French stea for Bo Saturday The firm had taken upon itself the responsibility to speak of passage for Mr Rover and one or two others
”Hurrah!” cried Toraph to thee for the four of us”
”I will,” answered, Mr Rover, and the telegram was sent within the hour
The next day was a busy one As but little in the way of outfits could be procured in Oak Run or the adjoining villages, it was decided that they should go down to New York on Thursday afternoon and spend all of Friday in purchasing in the metropolis whatever was needed
The only person as really sober was Mrs Rover, for she hated to see her husband start on such a journey, which was bound to, be full of grave perils
”I am afraid you will never come back,” she said, with tears in her eyes ”And if you and Anderson are both dead to me, ill I do?”
”Be brave, Martha,” said Mr Rover tenderly ”I feel certain that a kind Providence atch over us and bring us all back in safety”
At last the party was ready to set off A fond good-by was said, and away they rattled in the carryall for the railroad station at Oak Run
”Good-by to home!” shouted Toateway
”And e co father with us,” added dick, and Sam muttered an amen
The journey down to New York ithout incident, and as the Rovers had lived in the hly at hoo for their outfit and suitable clothing for use in such a warm country was procured, and in addition each was arun and a rifle, and likewise a nuold and silver trinkets
”The natives are beco civilized,” he explained ”But, for all that, I a way towardfriends”
The found that the Republique was a stanch-built steaht thousand tons burden Her captain, Jules Calish quite fluently and soon made them feel at home He was much interested in the story Randolph Rover had to tell concerning his , truly,” he remarked ”I sincerely trust that your search for him proves successful and that he returns to the arms of his family unharmed But it is a fierce country I have visited it twice, and I know”
”I ao,” replied Randolph Rover ”Perhaps during your leisure hours on the trip you will notme such information as conics to your ly,” answered Captain Cambion
Exactly at noon on Saturday the Republique was ready to sail, and with a shout froers off, she sheered away and started down the bay, past Bedloe Island and the Statue of Liberty Before night the shore line had faded fro out boldly into the Atlantic Ocean