They gained on us; they were strong, and they were angry because they had come so far.

Run as we would, still they gained.

Now we neared the banks of the river; it was full and wide.
Above us the waters ran angrily, breaking into swirls of white where they passed over sunken rocks; below was a rapid, in which none might live; between the two a deep pool, where the water was quiet but the stream strong.
"Ah! my brother, what shall we do ?" gasped Baleka.
"There is this to choose," I answered; "perish on the spears of our people or try the river." "Easier to die by water than on iron," she answered.
"Good!" I said.

"Now may our snakes look towards us and the spirits of our fathers be with us! At the least we can swim." And I led her to the head of the pool.

We threw away our blankets--everything except an assegai, which I held in my teeth--and we plunged in, wading as far as we could.