one. If we must die, we will die with guns in
our hands like men. While I am speaking, and
trying to make friendship with them, let no one
speak or move.”
We drew ashore at the little island, opposite
the highest village, and at noon I obtained by
observation north latitude i° f o". Meanwhile
savage madness was being heated by the thunder
of drums, canoes were mustering,' guns were
being loaded, spears and broadswords were
being sharpened, all against us, merely because
we were strangers, and afloat on their waters.
Yet we had the will and the means to purchase
amity. We were ready to submit to any tax,
imposition, or insolent demand for the privilege
of a peaceful passage. Except life, or one drop
of our blood, we would sacrifice anything.
Slowly and silently we withdrew from the shelter
of the island and began the descent of the
stream. The boat took position in front, Frank’s
canoe, the Ocean, on the right, Manwa Sera’s,
London Town, to the left. Beyond Manwa Sera’s
canoe was the uninhabited island, the great length
of which had ensnared us, and hedged us in to
the conflict. From our right the enemy would appear
with muskets and spears, and an unquenchable
ferocity, unless we could mollify him.
We had left Observation Island about half a
mile behind us when the prows of many canoes
were seen to emerge out of the creek. I stood
rFeb. 14. i877-1 a RASH ACT OF FRANK’S.
I Mangala. J
up and edged towards them, holding a long
piece of red cloth in one hand, and a coil of
brass wire in another. We rested on our oars,
and the men quietly placed their paddles in their
canoes, and sat up, watchful, but ready for contingencies.
As we floated down, numbers of
canoes advanced.
I hailed the natives, who were the most
brilliantly decorated of any yet seen. At a
distance they all appeared to wear something
like English University caps, though of a white
colour. There was a great deal of glitter and
flash of metal, shining brass, copper, and bright
steel among them.
The natives returned no answer to my hail;
still I persisted, with the same artfulness of
manner that had been so successful at Rubunga.
I observed three or four canoes approaching
Frank’s vessel with a most suspicious air about
them, and several of their canoes menacing him,
at which Frank stood up and menaced them
with his weapon. I thought the act premature,
and ordered him to sit down and to look away
from them. I again raised the crimson cloth and
wire, and by panto mine offered to give it to
those in front, whom I was previously addressing;
but almost immediately those natives who
had threatened Frank fired into my boat, wounding
three of my young crew— Mambu, Murabo,
and Jaffari— and two more natives fired into