It was almost dark when at last they turned to go, Jack Meredith
carrying the skin over his shoulder and leading the way. There was
no opportunity for conversation, as their progress was necessarily
very difficult. Only by the prattle of the stream were they able to
make sure of keeping in the right direction. Each had a thousand
questions to ask the other. They were total strangers; but it is
not, one finds, by conversation that men get to know each other. A
common danger, a common pleasure, a common pursuit--these are the
touches of Nature by which men are drawn together into the kinship
of mutual esteem.
Once they gained the banks of the Ogowe their progress was quicker,
and by nine o'clock they reached the camp at Msala. Victor Durnovo
was still at work superintending the discharge of the baggage and
stores from the large trading-canoes. They heard the shouting and
chattering before coming in sight of the camp, and one voice raised
angrily above the others.
"Is that Durnovo's voice?" asked Meredith.
"Yes," answered his companion curtly.
It was a new voice which Meredith had not heard before. When they
shouted to announce their arrival it was suddenly hushed, and
presently Durnovo came forward to greet them.
Meredith hardly knew him, he was so much stronger and healthier in
appearance.
Pages:
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127