It was quite a sufficient load for any white man in that climate, but being very wiry, Alan did not feel its weight, at any rate at first.
After him in single file came the four porters, laden with a small tent, some tinned provisions and brandy, ammunition, a box containing beads, watches, etc.

for presents, blankets, spare clothing and so forth.

These were stalwart fellows enough, who knew the forest, but their dejected air showed that now they had come face to face with its dangers, they heartily wished themselves anywhere else.

Indeed, notwithstanding their terror of Jeekie's medicine, at the last moment they threw down their loads intending to make a wild rush for the departing boat, only to be met by Jeekie himself who, anticipating some such move, was waiting for them on the bank with a shotgun.

Here he remained until the canoe was too far out in the stream for them to reach it by swimming.