"Something up!" said Jack to Frank, as they stood leaning over the rail.
"You are right," replied Frank, "and I'll bet you a little red apple I can tell you what it is."
"You can?" exclaimed Jack in surprise. "Let's have it then."
"In my spare moments," explained Frank, "I have been making a
study of the maps and charts. We are now almost in the Gulf of
Guinea. A small but nevertheless very deep, river called the
Cameroon, empties into the gulf. Do you follow me?"
"Yes, but I don't see what you are driving at."
"Well, the Cameroon region is a German possession. Its largest town, several miles up this navigable river, is Duala, strongly fortified. This, if I am not badly mistaken, is our objective point."
"Perhaps you are right," said Jack somewhat dubiously, "but won't the forts be too strong for the cruisers?"
"Not these, I am sure."
"Well," said Jack, "I hope we see some action soon, whether it is at Duala, as you call it, or some other place. This is growing monotonous."
Frank's prophecy proved correct. Even now the Cumberland and the Dwarf were well into the Gulf of Guinea and making all headway toward the mouth of the river Cameroon, which point the vessels reached early the following morning, intending to anchor in the mouth of the stream.