DEATH OF FRANK FOCOCK. 
503 
little master is saying that we are afraid of death. 1 
know there is death in the cataract, but come, let us show 
him that black men fear death as little as white men. 
What do you say ? ” 
“ A man can die but once.” “ Who can contend with 
his fate ? ” “ Our fate is in the hands of God ! ” were 
the various answers he received. 
“ Enough, take your seats,” Uledi said. 
“ You are men ! ” cried Frank, delighted at the idea 
of soon reaching camp. 
ce Bismillah ” (“ In the name of God ”), “ let go the 
rocks, and shove off ! ” cried the coxswain. 
“ Bismillah ! ” echoed the crew, and they pushed away 
from the friendly cove. 
In a few seconds they had entered the river ; and, in 
obedience to Frank, Uledi steered his craft for the left 
side of the river. But it soon became clear that they 
could not reach it. There was a greasy slipperiness about 
the water that was delusive, and it was irresistibly bear- 
ing them broadside over the falls ; and observing this, 
Uledi turned the prow and boldly bore down for the 
centre. Roused from his seat by the increasing thunder 
of the fearful waters, Frank rose to his feet, and looked 
over the heads of those in front, and now the full danger 
of his situation seemed to burst on him. But too late ! 
They had reached the fall, and plunged headlong amid 
the waves and spray. The angry waters rose and leaped 
into their vessel, spun them round as though on a pivot, 
and so down over the curling, dancing, leaping crests, 
they were borne to the whirlpools which yawned below. 
Ah ! then came the moment of anguish, regret and 
terror. 
“ Hold on to the canoe, my men ; seize a rope each 
one,” said he, while tearing his flannel shirt away. 
Before he could prepare himself, the canoe was drawn 
down into the abyss, and the whirling, flying waters 
closed over all. When the vacuum was filled, a great 
body of water was belched upwards, and the canoe was 
disgorged into the bright sunlight, with several gasping 
men clinging to it. When they had drifted a little clis- 
