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"So far as I am concerned I will gladly go anywhere, or do anything, for Ida's sake," answered Lethbridge. "Thanks, old chap; I know you will," said Sir Reginald. "What say you, Colonel?" to Sziszkinski "would you like to go with us, or would you prefer to remain here until our return, and go in for shooting under the aegis of our friend Lobelalatutu?"
The individual upon the throne was of course none other than the king himself. Boldly advancing to within about ten paces of the seated monarch, Grosvenor and Dick halted, and, according to pre-arrangement, gave His Majesty a military salute. Then Dick, addressing the king in his best Kafir, remarked: "Hail! Lobelalatutu, King of the Makolo, we salute you."
Go, and fear not," for Lobelalatutu rather hung back, as though somewhat uncertain in regard to the matter of his safety "you are under our protection; and the man who foolishly dares to raise hand against you incurs our displeasure, and will instantly fall dead!"
"Au!" ejaculated Lobelalatutu; "is it so? Then my suspicions were not ill-founded. But, tell me, how came you to learn this?"
Let us go at once and get the affair over as soon as possible," said Sir Reginald, turning away to enter the pilot-house and assume the control of the ship during the proposed movement of her to the village. "We are now about to move to M'Bongwele's palace and bring him to trial for his many misdeeds," explained von Schalckenberg to Lobelalatutu. "You will remain with us until the trial is over."
I must ask Lobelalatutu about these; possibly he may be able to tell us where they came from, and, if so, there will be an opportunity not only for each of us to add considerably to our stock of precious stones, but also for me to acquire a little of that wealth which I so urgently need for the purpose that I mentioned to you, Sir Reginald, when you were good enough to invite me to make one of your party on this cruise."
But the plan was Sekosini's, and he would listen to no such proposal; while I, who had been sworn to secrecy, dared not break my oath," answered N'Ampata. "Why not?" demanded Lobelalatutu. "When I was placed upon the throne, did not you, N'Ampata, with all the other chiefs, swear allegiance and loyalty to me? Yet you have dared to break that oath.
"Ay, that have I," answered Mapela, springing to his feet and speaking in a defiant tone of voice. "My justification, O Lobelalatutu! is that under your governance the Makolo, formerly the most powerful and warlike nation in the world, is fast becoming a nation of women, and the contempt and laughing-stock of our neighbours.
On his part, Mafuta returned the gaze as steadfastly as it was given; and it was an interesting sight to the onlookers to see those two savages, both of them splendid specimens of their respective races, endeavouring to read each other's character. At length Lobelalatutu removed his hand from the other's shoulder and said: "It is well!
Pass on about a mile beyond it, to a spot which Lobelalatutu will point out to us. If we are quick we may be in time to save a man's life!" Sir Reginald needed no second bidding.
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