Part 28 (2/2)
We shall simply have to shoot the rapids and take our chance.”
”I'm sorry for us. If my little raft was nearly smashed, what condition will these clumsy things be in when we get through!”
”Well, I can only do my best. Left to themselves they'd be smashed up in no time, but if I can manage to steer clear of the rocks we may get through. It won't be safe to go roped together, though. You had better moor yours while I take down the first; then I'll go ash.o.r.e and come back for you.”
”Rather dangerous, that, if the enemy are about.”
”Perhaps. But I'm inclined to think they'll wait for us lower down. In that case I should be back before they could catch me. But really it's not much good settling on anything until we see how the land lies. The most important thing will be to take care we are not caught in the rapids before we know it. If we are, we can only let ourselves go and trust to luck.”
After a delay of nearly an hour, during which the whole party made a meal of the fruits they had brought with them, they strove again to pole the rafts off the rock. The task was an impossible one while the vessels were so heavily laden. Accordingly the breastwork was removed from the sh.o.r.eward side of each, and a portion of the goods was conveyed to the bank. Thus lightened, the rafts were got off by vigorous poling, and allowed to drift a few yards down-stream until they came once more into the moonlight. Then they were run into the bank and moored while the stores were fetched and the breastwork replaced. This took up a considerable time, and it could no longer be doubted that the enemy, unless they had halted, must arrive at the pool long before the rafts.
As the moon rose higher in the sky the voyage became easier, and it was continued without incident until there were signs that day was breaking.
Feeling sure that the rapids could not be far ahead, Ferrier steered into the right bank, followed by John.
”I must take a look round before we go any farther,” said Ferrier. ”I don't hear anything of the enemy; perhaps they are behind us after all.”
He set off alone, making his way cautiously among the trees. It seemed hours before he returned, in almost broad daylight.
”We're in for it,” he said as he came up. ”We're within six hundred yards of the rapids. I went on round the curve until I got a view of the pool. The fort is manned. Juma must have got well ahead of us and crossed the river somewhere. But I don't think the others have arrived on the scene yet.”
”Have they left n.o.body on the right bank?”
”n.o.body at all. They're very poor tacticians. I suppose they rely on our being smashed up in the rapids, and think they'll have us at their mercy. They ought to have held both banks. It gives us a chance. We may have time for a portage, but only to the pool. We can't hope to get past the second rapids on land; but as we shall be hidden from the enemy until we actually come to the pool, there ought to be time to load up again there before they can get round to us.”
”What then?”
”We shall have to shoot the second rapids in the rafts just as we are.
Can't stop for another portage. From my recollection as we came up past the gorge, they're much longer and swifter than the first, besides being straighter and less rocky. I had a good look at the first as I went down the bank. There's a nasty bit about half-way through: a narrow channel between two irregular lines of sunken rocks. But it's no worse than the Long Saut on the St. Lawrence; not so bad, indeed; and I'm going to run through all right. The only doubt I have is whether we can get to the second rapids before the enemy occupy the bluff above the gorge.”
”If we can't----!”
”We shall have the pleasure of being targets for at least ten minutes for bullets and arrows and stones. But we must just go through with it now; there's no retreat for us. Now we'll unload my raft and send the men along with the ivory. When we've given them time to get half-way to the pool, I'll go down with the raft.”
”Alone?”
”Yes. It won't do for you to come, and leave the men, in case they're attacked; and I don't think any of them would be much help to me. Coja and two or three of the askaris can escort the convoy. We must make 'em understand they are to wait for me when they get to the pool; unless, indeed, I'm there first: the current is pretty swift.”
”There's bush enough to hide them, but you're bound to be spotted from the fort as soon as you get to the end of the rapids.”
”It will take Juma a long time to get round with his men.”
”But they can swim it!”
”They won't! They can't attack us when swimming, and they'll be afraid of getting their heads broken against the raft.”
During this conversation the men had already begun the work of unloading the first raft. The breastwork on the right-hand side was removed, and the ivory conveyed tusk by tusk to the bank. Enough was left at the rear to balance Ferrier's weight at the forward end. When all was ready, the men set off with their loads, Coja and two askaris with rifles going ahead.
”Get your raft unloaded while I'm gone, old chap,” said Ferrier. ”In fact, the men had better start with it straight away; if Juma has the sense to come round at once to meet us it'll be a very near thing to get loaded up again.”
”All right. I'll go with them myself and leave a couple of men to guard the raft.”
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