think it right that you should say we are afraid.
As for me, I think you ought to know me better.
See! I hold out both hands, and all my fingers
will not count the number of lives I have saved
on this river. How then can you say, master
I show fear?”
“ Well, if you do not, the others do,” retorted
Frank.
“Neither are they nor am I afraid. We believe
the river to be impassable in a canoe. I have
only to beckon to my men, and they will follow
me to death— and it is death to go down this
cataract. We are now ready to hear you command
us to go, and we want your promise that if
anything happens, and our master asks, ‘Why
did you do it?’ that you will bear the blame.”
“No, I will not order you. I will have nothing
to do with it. You are the chief in this canoe.
If you like to go— go, and I will say you are
men, and not afraid of the water. If not, stay,
and I shall know it is because you are afraid.
It appears to me easy enough, and I can advise
you. I don’t see what could happen.”
Thus challenging the people to show their
mettle, poor Frank steadily hastened his fate.
Uledi then turned to the crew, and said, “Boys,
our little master is saying that we are afraid of
death. I know there is death in the cataract,
but come, let us show him that black men fear
death as little as white men. What do you say?”
l,‘ A man can die but once.” “Who can contend
with his fate?” “ Our fate is in the hands of
God!” were the various answers he received.
“ Enough, take your seats,” Uledi said.
“You are men!” cried Frank, delighted at the
idea of soon reaching camp.
“Bismillah” ( “ In the name of God” ), “ let go
the rocks, and shove off!” cried the coxswain.
“Bismillah! ” echoed the crew, and they pushed
away from the friendly cove.
In a few seconds they had entered the river;
and, in obedience to Frank, Uledi steered his
craft for the left side of the river. But it soon
became clear that they could not reach it. There
was a greasy slipperiness about the water that
was delusive, and it was irresistibly bearing
them broadside over the falls; and observing
this, Uledi turned the prow, and boldly bore
down for the centre. Roused from his seat by
the increasing thunder of the fearful waters,
Frank rose to his feet, and looked over the
heads of those in front, and now the full danger
of his situation seemed to burst on him. But
too late! They had reached the fall, and plunged
headlong amid the waves and spray. The angry
waters rose and leaped into their vessel, spun
them round as though on a pivot, and so down
over the curling, dancing, leaping crests, they
were borne, to the whirlpools which yawned