"
As it chanced on that stormy morning the wind was blowing strongly
towards the mainland.
We laboured at the mast, shipped it and hauled up the mat sail, but
slowly for we were awkward at the business. By the time that it began
to draw the paddles had propelled us about four hundred yards from the
wharf, whence many canoes, with their sails already set, were starting
in pursuit. Standing in the prow of the first of these, and roaring
curses and vengeance at us, was Komba, the new Kalubi, who shook a
great spear above his head.
An idea occurred to me, who knew that unless something were done we
must be overtaken and killed by these skilled boatmen. Leaving Mavovo
to attend to the sail, I scrambled aft, and thrusting aside the
fainting Hans, knelt down in the stern of the canoe. There was still
one charge, or rather one cap, left, and I meant to use it. I put up
the largest flapsight, lifted the little rifle and covered Komba,
aiming at the point of his chin. /Intombi/ was not sighted for or
meant to use at this great distance, and only by this means of
allowing for the drop of the bullet, could I hope to hit the man in
the body.
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