They and I were for supping as soon as possible from the German's provender, and sleeping under his canvas roof.
But Fred and Will insisted on caution, claiming reasonably that surprise would be infinitely easier after dark.

It was unlikely that Schillingschen would post any sentries, and not much matter if he did.
His knowledge of natives and natural air of authority made him quite safe among any but the wildest, and these were a comparatively peaceful folk.

In all probability he would sit and read by candle light, with his boys all snoring a hundred yards away.

There was no making Fred and Will see the virtue of my contention that a sudden attack while his boys were scattered all about among the villages would be just as likely to succeed; so we settled down to wait where we were with what patience we could summon.
It was a miserable, hungry business, under a blazing hot sky, packed tightly together among men who objected to our smell as strongly as we to theirs.

It is the fixed opinion of all black people that the white man smells like "bad water"; and no word seems discoverable that will quite return the compliment.