"And the canoes from the other side would steal across and cut you off. No; we will leave them."
"The canoes from the other side," said Compton, starting up. "I rather think I saw one shoot into that island—the big one with the palm-tree in the centre."
"All right," said the hunter, quickly. "Don't look that way; take in the sail. If they are there, we don't want to draw their attack now. Get out the sculls, Venning, and keep her towards the sandbank ahead. Just keep her moving."
The sail rattled down, and the Okapi lazily moved nearer the shore, leaving about a mile of water between her and the island, towards which Mr. Hume, lying flat, was directing his glasses. The others were looking ostentatiously shorewards.
"You are right, Compton; canoes are gathering under that island."
"Congela," said the chief, "there is a man watching us from the land."
"Signal to him," said Mr. Hume. "You see, what we want is to keep those canoes where they are till night; and they probably won't move till they have a signal from their friends ashore."
Muata called out, and a man who was skulking behind a bush stepped out.
"Why do you watch, my friend?"
"O chiefs," shouted the man, "all goes well. The men will be here at nightfall, and the fire will be lit to guide you."