On the seventh journey he was still more heavily weighted, for, with some assistance from Leonard, he must carry the woman Soa, who could swim but little.
But he did it, and without any great fatigue.

It was not until Otter was seen stemming a heavy current that his vast strength could be measured.
Here, indeed, his stunted stature was a positive advantage, for it offered the less surface for the water to act upon.
So they travelled forward, sometimes hungry, sometimes full of meat, and even of what were better, of milk and corn.

For the country was not entirely deserted; occasionally they came to scattered kraals, and were able to obtain provisions from their peaceful inhabitants in return for some such trifle as an empty cartridge of brass.

At first Leonard was afraid lest Soa should tire, but notwithstanding her years and the hardships and sufferings which she had undergone, she showed wonderful endurance--endurance so wonderful that he came to the conclusion that it was her spirit which supported the frailty of her body, and the ever-present desire to rescue one whom she loved as a surly dog sometimes loves its master.

However this might be, she pushed forward with the rest, rarely speaking except to urge them onwards.
On the eighth night of their journey they halted upon the crest of a high mountain.