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"Jambo, bwana," said Simba's voice a moment later. Something in his tone caught Kingozi's ear. "Yes, Simba?" was all he replied. "All has been done as you ordered, bwana. This is the fourteenth day, and I am here to tell you." Kingozi caught his breath sharply. "Bwana Nyele was captured?" "Mali-ya-bwana holds him prisoner at a certain water." "There was no trouble?" "None, bwana.
And after two weeks you must send two men to M'tela's to find me, and to tell me where you are hidden. Now is all that understood? You, Simba, tell me what you are to do." "Mali-ya-bwana, myself, six men and these shenzis travel to where the safari of Bwana Nyele marches. When we are near that safari we tie up the two shenzis. Then we get Bwana Nyele and tie him up in a secret camp.
The risk was too great, magic bone or no magic bone. "It is probable you speak lies," said the gun bearer at last. "You say you want potio and that you hold Bwana Nyele prisoner. But you do not bring us orders from Bwana Nyele for potio. Nor do you give us proof. We must have proof before we believe or before we obey."
They talked at great length, without bothering to remove the dead headman. The result was finally a continued respect for Simba, his magic bone, and his ready rifle; but a lingering though polite incredulity as to the matter of Winkleman Bwana Nyele. It was possible that Simba had killed the latter, of course. But to have taken him alive and to be holding him prisoner
Simba started away, still pointing. Winkleman followed a few steps. "There is more?" he asked. "Do you speak Swahili?" "Many more, bwana," Simba replied in the atrocious Swahili Kingozi had ordered. "Over there only a little distance." Everything turned out as Kingozi had promised. Bwana Nyele asked several more questions, received no replies, finally bellowed: "But lead me there, m'buzi!
He was no such fool as to turn Winkleman loose to his own devices; but he compromised by untying the Bavarian's wrists, and doubling the thongs by which the latter's ankles were hitched to the larger timbers of the banda. Also he instructed the sentinel to keep the fire bright, to watch Bwana Nyele, and to stop instantly any and all movements of the hands toward the feet.
Then after two weeks we send two men to tell the bwana where we are. But, bwana, how do we get Bwana Nyele?" "That I will tell you soon. One thing you forgot: you must reach the Duyche before he gets into M'tela's country. This means travel night and day fast travel. Can this be done?" "We shall pick good men, bwana, runners of the Wakamba. We shall do our best." "Good.
They squatted on their heels below the white man in his chair, and looked up at him with bright, devoted eyes. "Listen," he said. "The matter is this: the Inglishee are at war with the Duyche. Over from the Congo comes a Duyche known as Bwana Nyele. It is his business to reach this shenzi king, M'tela, and persuade M'tela to fight on the side of the Duyche.
You Simba, and you Mali-ya-bwana, must go with six of the best men to where Bwana Nyele is marching. These two strange shenzis will guide you. Then when you are near the safari of Bwana Nyele you must arrange so that these shenzis can have no talk with any of the safari of Bwana Nyele. That is understood?" "Yes, bwana," said Simba. "Do we kill these shenzis?" "No, do not kill them. Tie them fast."
It is our business to reach M'tela and persuade him to fight on the side of the Inglishee. Is that understood?" "It is understood, bwana" said they. "But this Duyche, Bwana Nyele, is only one week's march from M'tela; and he undoubtedly has many gifts for M'tela and the Kabilagani.
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