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Chapter Sixteen. Into the Blue |
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emissaries sent back and declaration of war |
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They are most surprised when Mills sends them back with their goat, the small squawking chicken, and the message that without the slave-girl no understanding is possible and that their stubbornness and all their threats will be punished by the burning of their village. |
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This is a declaration of war. |
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If Matche had not betrayed Pangsha's plan, we might have been deceived for a while by their apparent friendliness, and would probably have fallen into the ambush. But now we avoid the obvious path, and climb straight down the steep slope to the river, thus foiling Pangsha's first plan. In the broad basin of the valley we are safe from surprise attacks and we make our way without further obstacles to where, just below the main village, we find a natural island in the middle of the river, which presents a most favourable camping ground. |
