They decided to leave one canoe on the island, in charge of four of the Loango boys. The remaining natives could be employed in carrying the lighter of the two canoes, and a sufficiency of stores and ammunition across country to the Hidden River. The indignation of Crouch may be imagined when the boys struck in a body and refused to undertake the portage.
Edward used his greatest powers of persuasion; Crouch threatened and abused. They answered that word of the Fire-gods had been carried even as far as the Coast, that they had never bargained to sell their lives to the Englishmen. None the less, they expressed their willingness to remain upon the island until the party returned.
Crouch turned to M'Wané.
"And do you, too, go back?" he asked.
The chief shook his head, and smiled.
"My men and I will stand by the White Wizard," he answered. "A Fan holds to his word."
Crouch slapped the chief upon the back, and then went on to explain to the boys that if they helped with the portage, they would not be asked to embark on the Hidden River, but could return to Date Palm Island. After some discussion, they agreed to this; and as much time had already been wasted, Harden and Crouch decided not to start until daybreak the following day.
According to Edward Harden's diary, the portage lasted two weeks and three days. They were obliged to force their way through virgin forest. It was frequently necessary to cut down with axes and billhooks the tangled undergrowth and creepers that wove themselves amid the trunks of the trees, in order to make room for the canoe to pass. Some days they did not cover more than a mile, though they were working from dawn to sunset. But towards the end of the journey the passage became easier, by reason of the fact that they found a watercourse, which they followed, until they finally came forth into the sunlight at Hippo Pool.
When they first looked upon it, it was as if, indeed, there were an air of mystery in the valley of the Hidden River. The silence that reigned upon its surface was intense. The atmosphere seemed several degrees hotter even than the forest. The name Hippo Pool was given because, immediately on their arrival, Edward Harden, who was leading, shot a hippopotamus which he found asleep upon the bank. They were glad enough of the meat for the natives, who would require provisions on their journey back to the Kasai.
The next morning the Loango boys left in a body. They were glad enough to be off. And soon afterwards the canoe shot out from the bank.