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Updated: June 17, 2025
To charge him with Moini Loungga's death might be a bad affair, from which he might not be able to extricate himself without damage. But Negoro had a good idea. By his means Alvez spread the report that the death of Kazounde's sovereign was supernatural; that the great Manitou only reserved it for his elect. The natives, so inclined to superstition, accepted this lie.
The young man could not doubt it, when, at a gesture from the Arab, Ibn Hamis, an overseer, went toward the pen where Tom, Austin, Bat and Acteon had been shut up. Almost immediately the four Americans were led before Alvez. Dick Sand slowly approached. He wished to lose nothing of this scene.
There only remained at the "tchitoka," the traders, the overseers and the soldiers ready to take their part of the punch, if the king and his court allowed them. Jose-Antonio Alvez, advised by Negoro, did the thing well. They brought a vast copper basin, capable of containing at least two hundred pints, which was placed in the middle of the great place.
Alvez, furnished with an enormous metal spoon, stirred the liquid, which threw a great white glare over those delirious monkeys. Moini Loungga advanced. He seized the spoon from the trader's hands, plunged it into the basin, then, drawing it out full of punch in flames, he brought it to his lips. What a cry the King of Kazounde then gave! An act of spontaneous combustion had just taken place.
"They are not likely to start for a couple of hours," answered the sergeant; "and if you wish it, we may find means to stop them." Some further conversation ensued, when the captain took out a paper, on which he wrote several sentences. "Give this to Major Alvez, and if he thinks fit he will despatch a party to arrest them. You may accompany it, as you know them, and so there will be no mistake."
It was impossible for him to drink any more. His ministers and his officers, all incurable drunkards, would have passed before him for sober men. The court was alcoholized to the last chief, and incessantly imbibed strong beer, cider, and, above all, a certain drink which Alvez furnished in profusion. Moini Loungga counted in his harem wives of all ages and of all kinds.
He hesitated, however, observing that most of them had their knives, and that it would be no easy matter to overcome them. Again voices shouted, "Where is Pedro Alvez? Let him show himself." "He went overboard and was drowned; and many more will follow him, if we are interfered with," answered some one from the end of the raft occupied by the mutineers.
Alvez and Negoro did not know how to help his majesty. The women, frightened, had taken flight. As to Coimbra, he took his departure rapidly, well knowing his inflammable nature. The king and the minister, who had fallen on the ground, were burning up, a prey to frightful sufferings.
They were discussing the future of their commerce, and were worried about the efforts the English were making to destroy it not only on the exterior, by cruisers, but in the interior, by their missionaries and their travelers. Jose-Antonio Alvez found that the explorations of these hardy pioneers could only injure commercial operations.
Weldon; how, after the unexpected arrival of Cousin Benedict, he had vainly tried to make his way into the factory, more carefully guarded than ever; how, at last, he had found this opportunity of snatching the prisoner from that horrible Jose-Antonio Alvez. Now, this opportunity had offered itself that same day.
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