Still, no good ox ever turns in
the yoke because of a mud-hole. Let us go on, for if we sink in the
swamp what does it matter? Moreover, my Snake tells me that we shall
not sink, at least not all of us."
So it was arranged that no effort should be made to return. Sammy, it
is true, wished to do so, but when it came to the point and he was
offered one of the remaining donkeys and as much food and ammunition
as he could carry, he changed his mind.
"I think it better, Mr. Quatermain," he said, "to meet my end in the
company of high-born, lofty souls than to pursue a lonely career
towards the inevitable in unknown circumstances."
"Very well put, Sammy," I answered; "so while waiting for the
inevitable, please go and cook the dinner."
Having laid aside our doubts, we proceeded on the journey comfortably
enough, being well provided with bearers to take the place of those
who had run away. Babemba, accompanied by a single orderly, travelled
with us, and from him we collected much information. It seemed that
the Mazitu were a large people who could muster from five to seven
thousand spears.
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