But when they opened up the reach behind the point where the canoes had been seen, there was no offer of attack. There were three craft in view, fifty paddle-power dugouts all of them, crammed with men and weapons, fantastic with horrible ju-ju charms; but they hung on to the wire-like stems of the mangroves and remained so moored till the steamer drew past and began to dance them up and down upon its wash. A monkey-skin drum in each was beaten impressively by two drummers, but no weapons were levelled, and there was no threat of boarding.
"Faugh!" said Image, and spat. "Did you catch the smell of those beauties when we had them abeam? Talk of a 'bus stable struck by lightning!"
"They aren't there just to take in the scenery," said Carter thoughtfully.
"An Okky-man is born to mischief even as the sparks fly upward. Look, they're casting off their shorefasts and getting under weigh down stream. No, by Crumbs, they're turning up stream after me. Well, of all the blighted cheek! Do you know what that means, Carter, me lad? They're going to follow us. They think they've got some ju-ju by which they can cut us off from the Coast. Ah, here's Miss Kate. Well, Miss, as I've you to think of as well as my ship, I shall turn presently and run back again for the bar. You see for yourself, I should think now, that it isn't healthy up this river, and all the cargo in Africa is no use to a man if he can't get it shipped when he comes to the beach where it's stored. If any one of the war canoes get in my way, I'll show you what those bushmen look like when they're swimming in yellow water, for as sure as the Lord made crocodiles, I'll ram their noisy dugouts if I can. I'll teach them to thump their nasty smelling war drums at me."
"Poof, Captain, don't you try to take me in. I should like to hear anyone else suggesting that you couldn't take the _M'poso_ to a spot where the _Frau Pobst_ had made regular voyages."
Captain Image thrust forward his head and glared. "I can take this packet anywhere that blessed Dutchman's been, Miss."
"Of course you can. And when the _Frau Pobst's_ captain has shipped cargo from a spot----"
"And given up going there, Miss, because it's too dangerous."
"Precisely. Well, as I couldn't insult you by calling you less than twice as brave as the German, that means that no little trouble that's going on between here and Mokki will frighten you in the very least. Is that good argument?"