“I know it, as I count on your good sense and your experience.  You will come to my help, old Tom?”

“Always, and everywhere, Mr. Dick.”

Dick Sand’s plan was accepted and approved by the old black.  If Harris were detected in open treason before the hour for action, at least the young novice and his companions were not in fear of any immediate danger.  In fact, it was the discovery of the irons abandoned by some slaves, and the roaring of the lion, that had caused the American’s sudden disappearance.

He knew that he was discovered, and he had fled probably before the little party which he guided had reached the place where an attack had been arranged.  As for Negoro, whose presence Dingo had certainly recognized during these last days of the march, he must have rejoined Harris, so as to consult with him.  At any rate, several hours would pass before Dick Sand and his friends would be assailed, and it was necessary to profit by them.

The only plan was to regain the coast as quickly as possible.  This coast, as the young novice had every reason to believe, was that of Angola.  After having reached it, Dick Sand would try to gain, either to the north or to the south, the Portuguese settlements, where his companions could await in safety some opportunity to return to their country.

But, to effect this return to the coast, should they take the road already passed over?  Dick Sand did not think so, and in that he was going to agree with Harris, who had clearly foreseen that circumstances would oblige the young novice to shorten the road.

In fact, it would have been difficult, not to say imprudent, to recommence this difficult journey through the forest, which, besides, could only tend to bring them out at the place they had started from.  This would also allow Negoro’s accomplices to follow an assured track.  The only thing they could do was to cross a river, without leaving any traces, and, later on, to descend its course.  At the same time, there was less to fear from an attack by animals, which by a happy chance had so far kept at a good distance.  Even the animosity of the natives, under these circumstances, seemed less important.  Once embarked on a solid raft, Dick Sand and his companions, being well armed, would be in the best condition to defend themselves.  The whole thing was to find the river.

It must be added that, given the actual state of Mrs. Weldon and her little Jack, this mode of traveling would be the most suitable.  Arms would not fail to carry the sick child.  Lacking Harris’s horse, they could even make a litter of branches, on which Mrs. Weldon could be borne.  But this would require two men out of five, and Dick Sand wished, with good reason, that all his companions might be free in their movements in case of a sudden attack.

And then, in descending the current of a river, the young novice would find himself in his element!