“What do you think about it all?” said Stanley to Timbo, who had been interpreting Chickango’s account.
“Dog dat bark not always bite, massa,” answered the black. “Me t’ink dat dey see our rifles and run away.”
“I am of Timbo’s opinion,” I could not help observing. “However, we must send and let our friends at the village know of the approach of their enemies; but unless we are attacked, we must on every account avoid fighting. The sooner we can embark and proceed on our voyage the better.”
“I believe you are right, Andrew,” observed Stanley; “but still I do not like the thought of running away; besides, we cannot leave those two black boys to the mercy of the savages, though if we carry them with us, their father will not know what has become of them.”
“I tell you what I do, massa,” answered Timbo; “I go and tell Igubo that he come and fetch dem, and den we send out scout to know what de Pangwes are doing.”
Our further boating for the day was, of course, put an end to; and having concealed the canoes in the thick brushwood which grew down to the river’s bank, we proceeded homewards, with the exception of Timbo, who hastened off to the Bakelés village.
Senhor Silva looked very grave when he heard what had occurred. “Those Pangwes are fierce fellows,” he said, “from what I know of them; and though they may not venture to come within range of our firearms, yet they may surround us and starve us out. We shall act wisely if we at once prepare for our voyage, and commence it as soon as Timbo returns.”
“But about these two boys, what shall we do with them?” asked David.
“I am afraid their fate must be a sad one,” was the answer, “whether their father comes for them or not. If he takes them away, they will probably fall into the hands of their enemies; or if they are left here, they are too likely to perish from hunger.”
“Oh, then let us take them with us,” said Kate, and little Bella echoed her words. “Surely the canoes are large enough to carry them, and it would be terrible to leave them to die.”