With the arrival of the St. George at the pool, activity along the Leopoldville docks has stepped up considerably. Rumors are flying with the signs of provisions being stored away on the Force Publique sternwheeler, the Roi des Belges. "They're headed up to kill a man," one negro was overheard in the messhall. Others speculate that it is simply business, and the ever-present buzz is about for the need for a crew, porters and soldiers to make the 30-day journey to the Falls.

"Swim, M. Santos"

Tensions rise dramatically on a moonless night at the docks. Lucien, the captain of the Roi des Belges accuses the half-breed, Gabriel, of larceny.

Negotiations

Catherine Russell hires Lt. De Pre to travel upriver in search of her father.

A Passage to Oblivion

Lucien presses August Telemann into service aboard the Roi; Daniel makes a brief appearance.

Desperate Man, Desperate Measures

Gabriel strains to warn and protect Catherine of the impending dangers into which she is placing herself.

Final Preparations

Amid the final bits of preparation, Lucien finally gets a moment to speak with Father Bellamy. Their conversation is cut short, however, as several other individuals involved with the trip arrive.

Departure from Leopoldville

Amidst a light rainfall, the Roi des Belges departs Leopoldville for the jungle.

Cliches

A brief conversation between Catherine and Lucien.

Ambush!

Running low on fuel, the Roi is ambushed by a flotilla of native warriors.

Confabulation

A brief discussion between the Lord and his kin foreshadows danger just beneath the surface of the River Congo.

Betrayal

The company headed upriver on the Roi disolves as numerous betrayals come to light. -- The lieutenant's command is fractured utterly by a single misstep.

'A man sits alone only to plot evil'

And there are so many men who now sit alone aboard the ill-fated steamer. Catherine desperately attempts to hold her expedition together; Gaveton and Brunewald come down with fever.

Fever!

Virulent fever ravages the remains of Mlle. Russell's expedition.

Attack!

A crocodile savages one of the demoralized porters.

Capture!

A hunting foray into the forest goes very badly when Mbadiwe betrays the company. Catherine allows the strange native group to take them on the promise that her men are unharmed.

Bekele

Meanwhile, the Swara painfully makes his way through the jungle, and encounters other creatures who call it home.

Redemption

Mbadiwe pleads for his life to Catherine, claiming to posess information about Professor Alistair Russell, as well as a talisman to help them save him.

The End Of The Tether

This final scene in the story concerning Catherine Russell's search for her father exposes the truth of what demons lie in the dark, and what one must do to defeat them.