It proved to be a point fifteen miles above the mouth
of the Congo, and at once the course was altered to the southward,
and they made the immense mouth of the river before nightfall.
It was a beautiful scene. Far away dashed the waves against an
immense golden strand, backed up by gigantic forests of tropical
growth and distant mountains veiled in a bluish mist: The river
was so broad that they were scarcely aware that they were entering
its mouth until the captain told them.
When night came the lights of Boma could be distinctly seen,
twinkling silently over the bay of the town. They dropped anchor
among a score of other vessels; and the long ocean trip became a
thing of the past.
"I'm all ready to go ashore," said Tom.
"My, but won't it feel good to put foot on land again!"
"Indeed it will!" cried Dick. "The ocean is all well enough, but
a fellow doesn't want too much of it."
"And yet I heard one of the French sailors say that he hated the
land," put in Sam. "He hadn't set foot on shore for three years.
When they reach port he always remains on deck duty until they
leave again."
Mortimer Blaze went ashore at once, after bidding all of the party
a hearty good-by. "Hope we meet again," he said. "And, anyway,
good luck to you!"
"And good luck to you!" cried Tom. "Hope you bag all of the lions
and tigers you wish," and so they parted, not to meet again for
many a day.
It was decided that the Rovers should not leave the ship until
morning.
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