"And what avails them, all those things—which are heavy things—if they have no canoes to carry them in to the traders?"
"Did I say they had no canoes? A great fleet they have waiting in hiding, till all the band come together from the hiding, waiting on the other shore. It was because I saw the fleet of canoes on the river, crossing to the far side, that I hoped to surprise the few who were left."
"And when may those canoes return?"
"The men collect their goods for the going; the time must be short before they leave."
"And where do the others lie hid?"
"By the great palm-tree, over there."
"Where there were men sitting watching? It was because they had no canoes that they did not follow you? Shall I tell you what was in my thought? This, that you and they were friends, and that you were the bait to draw us into the trap."
The man grinned nervously, and glanced at the water. "Would a little man trust himself in the power of such great chiefs, if his heart was crooked. I came for help, but if it pleases you to continue to the village, and to leave these bad men, it will please me also."
"And if we attack these men," asked Muata, after a pause, "what plan have you made for us?"
The boatman was relieved. His eyes brightened again. "See, we would land beyond that point ahead, and in the dark steal upon the robbers."