"How are you going to get down there?" demanded the black.
"I do not know just how, or where, or when. Now I am going to descend as far along this fissure as I can go. Perhaps I shall find my way down here, perhaps not."
"But suppose there is no foothold beyond the fissure?" asked Gabula.
"I shall have to find footing."
Gabula shook his head. "And if you reach the bottom, Bwana, you are right about the spirits and there are none or they do not kill you, how will you get out again?"
Von Harben shrugged his shoulders and smiled. Then he extended his hand. "Good-by, Gabula," he said. "You are a brave man."
Gabula did not take the offered hand of his master. "I am going with you," he said, simply.
"Even though you realize that should we reach the bottom alive we may never be able to return?"
"Yes."
"I cannot understand you, Gabula. You are afraid and I know that you wish to return to the village of your people. Then why do you insist on coming with me when I give you leave to return home?"