Our compact sealed, we went through the door and
found the priestwaiting outside. But Hans gripped my arm and said:Baas, be not
afraid. Yes, Baas, thanks to the cleverness of the Baas about the matches andthe
rest. Then I ceased talking, for something in the atmosphere of the placeabsorbed my
attention.
Anything more ridiculous than this scene it is
impossible to imagine. Infact, I think it was Dramana who kissed me, for she, too,
had gonemad.
Different men havedifferent tastes, Baas. I cut off
thefinger of another who wished to shake hands with me when I had toldhim to go
away.
Yes, I answered, and now I understand where Zikalis
magic comesfrom. But then your people roughly hunted her away, sothat we were
obliged to walk to your town.
Are you not our honoured guests and the
messengersof a Great One? I asked, seeing that she who waschosen last year must be
sacrificed this year? Yes, lots, I replied with energy, but perhaps of another
sort.
I suppose that thevapour from that accursed powder
had got into our brains.
I pray so also, since she is too fair to die, I
answered, who wouldbe a lovely wife for any man.
Hans, I said, keep your rifle ready, but dont shoot
unless you areobliged. Does he seek such a fate as that which befell thehound
without your doors?
Then, by way of changing the subject,he pointed to
the end of the room. Dacha seemed as though he were about to say something, a word
of doommayhap.
You will learn all about Heu-Heu before the night
isover. I reflected, natural gas coming from the volcano, such as Ihave heard of in
Canada.
This was now empty, although in it lights still
burned.
I was puzzled for a moment till Hans remarked:I
think she means the matches, Baas.
But how are you named, O Messenger of Zikali?
Butwhile we are here we must drink nothing but water. Our compact sealed, we went
through the door and found the priestwaiting outside.