Part 69 (1/2)

But, if there was no longer any doubt that this was the Congo, the French traveler's note indicated that its mouth was still one hundred and twenty miles from this point, and, unfortunately, at this place it was no longer navigable. High falls--very likely the falls of Ntamo--forbid the descent of any boat. Thus it was necessary to follow one or the other bank, at least to a point below the cataracts, either one or two miles, when they could make a raft, and trust themselves again to the current.

”It remains, then,” said d.i.c.k Sand, in conclusion, ”to decide if we shall descend the left bank, where we are, or the right bank of the river. Both, Mrs. Weldon, appear dangerous to me, and the natives are formidable. However, it seems as if we risk more on this bank, because we have the fear of meeting Negoro's escort.”

”Let us pa.s.s over to the other bank,” replied Mrs. Weldon.

”Is it practicable?” observed d.i.c.k Sand. ”The road to the Congo's mouths is rather on the left bank, as Negoro was following it. Never mind. We must not hesitate. But before crossing the river with you, Mrs. Weldon, I must know if we can descend it below the falls.”

That was prudent, and d.i.c.k Sand wished to put his project into execution on the instant.

The river at this place was not more than three or four hundred feet wide, and to cross it was easy for the young novice, accustomed to handling the oar. Mrs. Weldon, Jack, and Cousin Benedict would remain under Hercules's care till his return.

These arrangements made, d.i.c.k Sand was going to set out, when Mrs.

Weldon said to him:

”You do not fear being carried away by the falls, d.i.c.k?”

”No, Mrs. Weldon. I shall cross four hundred feet above.”

”But on the other bank--”

”I shall not land if I see the least danger.”

”Take your gun.”

”Yes, but do not be uneasy about me.”

”Perhaps it would be better for us not to separate, d.i.c.k,” added Mrs.

Weldon, as if urged by some presentiment.

”No--let me go alone,” replied d.i.c.k Sand. ”I must act for the security of all. Before one hour I shall be back. Watch well, Hercules.”

On this reply the boat, unfastened, carried d.i.c.k Sand to the other side of the Zaire.

Mrs. Weldon and Hercules, lying in the papyrus thickets, followed him with their eyes.

d.i.c.k Sand soon reached the middle of the stream. The current, without being very strong, was a little accentuated there by the attraction of the falls. Four hundred feet below, the imposing roaring of the waters filled the s.p.a.ce, and some spray, carried by the western wind, reached the young novice. He shuddered at the thought that the boat, if it had been less carefully watched during the last night, would have been lost over those cataracts, that would only have restored dead bodies.

But that was no longer to be feared, and, at that moment, the oar skilfully handled sufficed to maintain it in a direction a little oblique to the current.

A quarter of an hour after, d.i.c.k Sand had reached the opposite sh.o.r.e, and was preparing to spring on the bank.

At that moment cries were heard, and ten natives rushed on the ma.s.s of plants that still hid the boat.

They were the cannibals from the lake village. For eight days they had followed the right bank of the river. Under that thatch, which was torn by the stakes of their village, they had discovered the fugitives, that is to say, a sure prey for them, because the barrier of the falls would sooner or later oblige those unfortunate ones to land on one or the other side of the river.

d.i.c.k Sand saw that he was lost, but he asked himself if the sacrifice of his life might not save his companions. Master of himself, standing in the front of the boat, his gun pointed, he held the cannibals in check.

Meanwhile, they s.n.a.t.c.hed away the thatch, under which they expected to find other victims. When they saw that the young novice alone had fallen into their hands, they betrayed their disappointment by frightful cries. A boy of fifteen among ten!