In going down it, the men sent by Sekeletu behaved very nobly.

The canoes entered without previous survey, and the huge jobbling waves of mid-current began at once to fill them.
With great presence of mind, and without a moment's hesitation, two men lightened each by jumping overboard; they then ordered a Botoka man to do the same, as "the white men must be saved." "I cannot swim," said the Batoka.

"Jump out, then, and hold on to the canoe;" which he instantly did.

Swimming alongside, they guided the swamping canoes down the swift current to the foot of the rapid, and then ran them ashore to bale them out.

A boat could have passed down safely, but our canoes were not a foot above the water at the gunwales.
Thanks to the bravery of these poor fellows, nothing was lost, although everything was well soaked.