On the lagoon. An adventure befell TOBY, which, but for prompt action, might have had fatal termination; TOBY mistook open mouth of hippopotamus for drain, and rushed down in search of rat. Hippopotamus closed mouth, with expression intimating plainly that "No contributions can be returned unless accompanied by stamps and directed wrapper." TOBY'S barking inside fainter. At length remembered having brought Report of Parnell Commission for private reading. Read Report to Hippopotamus slowly, until symptoms of weariness observable in huge pachyderm. Read on, and hippopotamus yawned; whereupon whistled to TOBY, who ran up, not much the worse, except that frill had lost every vestige of colour. Engaged native interpreter, as no conversation manuals published for countries in this district. Excellent fellow--clean, strictly honest, total abstainer; only one blemish--not discovered till later--a bit of a cannibal when he got the chance. Sent him on to announce our arrival to the Dilli-dillis, but found none in the neighbourhood when we came up--only some things which he _said_ were fossils. Made no comment, but resolved to send them to Professor HUXLEY, and see what _his_ opinion is. Among the Bong Booshis; despatched Cannibal Interpreter to report; he returned, wiping his mouth, and announcing that they were "most agreeable, excellent, good people." [Illustration] Could not understand why they all hid underground at our approach, and why the King so persistently sent word that he was not at home. Told Interpreter that, in our opinion, he was a little deficient in tact. Sent him to treat with a native chief, called PHATTI, and had the mortification this time of surprising him _in the act_; no denial possible--he had his mouth full at the time! Told him that, if this occurred _again_, we should be exceedingly annoyed. Cannibal Interpreter penitent; lent him tract, _Why I Became a Vegetarian_, over which he shed tears. Came to the M'yusikauli District. King LESSI came to meet us, and offered _Mr. Punch_ a free pass over his domains. In the evening a grand performance, partly in our honour, partly to celebrate recent triumph over the G'yudi-g'yudis, who, under their chief MAKDOOGALLA, had been waging war against the M'yusi-kaulis on the pretext that they were assuming an offensive demeanour. Heard afterwards that both sides claimed victory, but truce declared for a year. Performance magnificent--but much too long. Native dances by _Ikika_ girls in pairs. _T'seriokomiks_ and _T'songandanzas_ also gave curious exhibitions of their powers. _Hackiribats_ and _Kunjeras_ (or native magicians) performed. A wild, weird, lurid scene, strange and fascinating--but a trifle slow. [Illustration] In Ugoweh; met some Gitalongdo girls, but could not succeed in persuading them to enter into conversation. On the River; saw _Krûs_ practising in long canoes, and got out of their way. Descended cataracts; shot several rapids, and sent them home to be stuffed.