When I woke it was past midday and the wind was falling.

However, it held while we ate some food we had brought with us, after which it died away altogether, and the Pongo people took to their paddles.

At my suggestion we offered to help them, for it occurred to me that we might just as well learn how to manage these paddles.

So six were given to us, and Komba, who now I noted was beginning to speak in a somewhat imperious tone, instructed us in their use.

At first we made but a poor hand at the business, but three or four hours' steady practice taught us a good deal.