Also each flower scape was lashed to a thin
bamboo so as to prevent it from breaking on the journey. Then the
whole bundle was lifted on to a kind of bamboo stretcher that we made
and firmly secured to it with palm-fibre ropes.
By this time it was growing dark and all of us were tired.
"Baas," said Hans to me, as we were returning to the house, "would it
not be well that Mavovo and I should take some food and go sleep in
the canoe? These women will not hurt us there, but if we do not, I,
who have been watching them, fear lest in the night they should make
paddles of sticks and row across the lake to warn the Pongo."
Although I did not like separating our small party, I thought the idea
so good that I consented to it, and presently Hans and Mavovo, armed
with spears and carrying an ample supply of food, departed to the lake
side.
One more incident has impressed itself upon my memory in connection
with that night. It was the formal baptism of Hope by her father. I
never saw a more touching ceremony, but it is one that I need not
describe.
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