man that can teach it. Here, you black
swine at that furnace, go slow with those logs, or we won't be able to
steam her half-way."

He bustled about the little vessel, turning every soul on board to some
employment or other; and those of the newcomers who did not know his
wishes, and were not quick enough for his taste, received instruction in
a manner which is understood by men all the world over, be their skins
black, or white, or yellow.

The process might not be very pleasant for those who came in contact
with it, but it was very effective for the purpose aimed at. In sea
parlance Kettle had to "break up" some half-dozen of them before all
hands acquiesced to his dictatorship; but they were quick to see there
was a Man over them this time, and involuntarily they admired his
virility even while they rubbed ruefully at their bumps; and during the
times of stress that came afterward, none of these Africans were so
smart to obey as those on whom their taskmaster's hand had originally
come heaviest.

The period of instruction was short. It began when the little
stern-wheeler slipped off the bank and got under weigh. It was completed
satisfactorily during the twelve miles run down the river. The boat was
steered into M'barri-m'barri creek, made hastily fast to trees on the
bank, and exuded her people in an armed rush. They had possession of the
place almost before the villagers knew of their arrival, and proceeded
to the object of their call. There was no especial show of violence.

The women and the children were imprisoned in the huts; the men were
given axes, and sent off into the forest to cut and gather fuel; and,
meanwhile, the landing party set themselves to eat what they fancied and
to carry off any store of ivory and rubber that they might chance upon.
There was nothing remarkable in the manoeuvre. It is the authorized
course of proceedings when a Free State launch goes into the bank for
wood and supplies.

The villagers brought down the logs smartly enough, and waxed quite
friendly on finding that none of the hostage women and children had been
killed or maltreated during their absence. They duly gave up the German
axes which had been loaned to them, and carried the wood aboard. Kettle
arranged its disposition. He had solid defences built up all round the
vulnerable boiler and engines. He had a stout breastwork built all round
inside the rail of the lower deck, quite stout enough to absorb a bullet
even i