"Nobody 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."