The hearts of those who have dwelt in slave camps are strong, and, after all, better the belly of a fish than the hold of a slave dhow.

_Wow!_ who do these things?
Is it not the white men, your brothers, and do they not say many prayers to the Great Man up in the sky while they do them ?" "Be still," said Leonard, "and give me some brandy." He was in no mood to discuss the blessings of civilisation as they have often been put into practice in Africa.

And to think that this fate might soon be his own! Leonard drank the brandy and sat awhile in silence, pushing up his beard with his hand and gazing into the gathering gloom with his hawk-like eyes.

Thus he had sat beside his dying brother's bed; it was a pose that he adopted unconsciously when lost in thought.
"Come, Soa," he said at length, "we have travelled here to please you; now give us the benefit of your suggestions.

How are we going to get your mistress out of that camp ?" "Loose the slaves and let them kill their masters," Soa answered laconically.
"I doubt there is not much pluck in slaves," said Leonard.
"There should be fifty of Mavoom's men there," she replied, "and they will fight well enough if they have arms." Then Leonard looked at Otter, seeking further ideas.
"My snake puts it into my head," said the dwarf, "that fire is a good friend when men are few and foes are many; also that the reeds yonder are dry, and the sea wind rises and will blow hard before midnight.
Moreover all these houses are thatched, and in a wind fire jumps.