DOWN THE CONGO TO THE ATLANTIC. 461 
Meanwhile, we are sliding smoothly to our destruction,, 
and a decision must therefore be arrived at instantly. 
God knows, I and my fellows would rather have it not 
to do, because possibly it is only a choice of deaths, by 
cruel knives or drowning. If we do not choose the 
knives, which are already sharpened for our throats, 
death by drowning is certain. So finding ourselves face 
to face with the inevitable, we turn to the right bank 
EDWIN ARNOLD FALLS. 
upon the savages, who are in the woods and on the 
water. We drop our anchors and begin the fight, but 
after fifteen minutes of it find that we cannot force 
them away. We then pull up anchors and ascend 
stream again, until, arriving at the elbow above men- 
tioned, we strike across the river and divide our forces. 
Manwa Sera is to take four canoes and to continue up 
stream a little distance, and, while we occupy the atten- 
