"Ay, I've been doin' a smart bit o' that. Let us consult Charlie."
Charlie the ex-cannibal was now brought forward and seated on the grass.
There was a deal of practical knowledge in this Indian's head. His had been a very long experience of savage warfare and wandering in forests and wilds; and he was proud now to be consulted.
"Charlie," said Bill, "what do you think of the situation?"
"De sit-uation?" was the reply. "Me not likee he. Me tinkee we sitee too much. Byme by, de cannibal he come much quick. Ah! dere will soon be muchee much too much sabage cannibal! Fust de killee you and den de eatee you, and make fine bobbery. Ha! ha!"
"Well, Charlie, I don't think that there is a deal to laugh at. Howsomever, we've got to do something soon."
"So, so," said Charlie, "notwidstanding."
"Well, I've been thinking that we should make tracks for the other side of the river. You see these savage rapscallions have no canoes, and they seem to have no food. They are not herons or storks, and can't wade through deep water."
"Foh true, sah. Dey am not stohks and dey am not herons notwidstanding, but see, sah, ebery man he am his own canoe! No stohks, but all same one frog, notwidstanding foh true!"
"And you think they would follow us?"