From him Igathered much information, true or
false.
Of this I had little doubt, though I wonderedwhat
they sacrificed.
It consisted of one big, white-washed room,without
windows. Before I could answer Arkle broke in, speaking very quietly in alow, fierce
voice. Hearing this I reflected, first that I liked not the security.
You see, Baas, for once in their lives they behaved
verynicely.
Kaneke tried to murder me and bought his life by a
certain oath,selling to me his place and rights.
Would you see me done to death by this white
wanderer whocomes to our land for no good purpose?
Still, I should like to know what has become of the
BaasArkle. Then ensued a civil war, inthe course of which one brother murdered the
other treacherously. Presently, however,it widened and we found ourselves upon a
kind of plateau borderedby cliffs. Kaneke tried to murder me and bought his life by
a certain oath,selling to me his place and rights. Presently, however,it widened and
we found ourselves upon a kind of plateau borderedby cliffs. Now Kaneke, evidently
in a great fright, appealed to me. You had better ask him if we ever meet
again.
I am but a minister, an executor of
decrees.
If I and my servant here, theyellow man, come on
into your country, have we peace? Kumpana led us to the market- or gathering-place
that I havedescribed.
They seem to rule spirits and men, but reallythese
rule them and order them about as they like.
And if he swears it and breaks the oath, what then,
Kumpana?
Moreover we, or some of us, have certain powers
over Nature.
With his right he seized him by the throat and
shook himas a mongoose shakes a snake.
I did not desert him, and you have seen the end of
thatstory.
At least in this moment of trial it asserted
itself,with the result that they died and we lived. I have rescued this white lord
when he was aboutto be killed.