I will send two men down with you, and will give you a letter to Miss Gordon, who will see to your wants at Loango." She looked at him with a sort of wonder.
"You insist ?" she said.
He raised his eyes to meet hers.
"Yes," he answered.
She bowed her head in grave submission, and made a little movement as if to go.
"It is chiefly on account of the children," he added.
Quite suddenly she smiled, and seemed to check a sob in her throat.
"Yes," said she softly, "I know." And she went into the house.
The next morning brought further rumours of approaching danger, and it seemed certain that this news must have filtered through Durnovo's fortified camp further up the river.

This time the report was more definite.

There were Arabs leading the tribes, and rumour further stated that an organised descent on Msala was intended.

And yet there was no word from Durnovo--no sign to suggest that he had even thought of securing the safety of his housekeeper and the few aged negroes in charge of Msala.

This news only strengthened Oscard's determination to send Marie down to the coast, and he personally superintended their departure before taking his seat in the canoe for the up-river voyage.
The men of his division had all preceded him, and no one except his own boatmen knew that Msala was to be abandoned.
There was in Guy Oscard a dogged sense of justice which sometimes amounted to a cruel mercilessness.