Whilst I was thus engaged several things happened. I saw twenty
natives being escorted towards us, doubtless the bearers who had been
promised; also I saw many others, accompanied by other natives, flying
from the village into the bush. Lastly, a third messenger arrived, who
announced that the /Maria/ was sailing away, apparently in charge of a
prize-crew, and that the man-of-war was putting about as though to
accompany her. Evidently she had no intention of effecting a landing
upon what was, nominally at any rate, Portuguese territory. Therefore,
if anything was to be done, we must act at once.
Well, the end of it was that, like a fool, I accepted Stephen's advice
and did nothing, always the easiest course and generally that which
leads to most trouble. Ten minutes afterwards I changed my mind, but
then it was too late; the /Crocodile/ was out of signalling distance.
This was subsequent to a conversation with Hans.
"Baas," said that worthy, in his leery fashion, "I think you have made
a mistake. You forget that these yellow devils in white robes who have
run away will come back again, and that when you return from up
country, they may be waiting for you.
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