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Updated: June 19, 2025
News of our arrival has already been sent forward to Lobelalatutu, the king; and his will concerning us will be made known as soon as it comes; but, meanwhile, Matemba, the 'mfana who spoke with me, advises that we outspan until that will be made known." "Um!" remarked Dick; "that does not sound altogether promising, eh, Phil?
The king was reclining upon a sort of sofa, with two or three of his wives fanning him to drive away the flies, when The Healer was announced; but a word caused the women to scuttle off to their own quarters like frightened rabbits, while Lobelalatutu rose to a sitting position as Dick entered, followed by Mafuta.
"All right," agreed the baronet; "let us go. We will take Lobelalatutu with us, and get him to point out the places; then one of us can run him back here, and land him, while the others take a stroll along the beach and fill their pockets with rubies if they can find any."
Is my advice good and acceptable?" "It is very good, and we will act upon it forthwith," answered Lobelalatutu; and, clapping his hands to summon a messenger, he gave instructions that the four chiefs should be at once brought into his presence.
"I know the exact spot; for my brother was one of the finders, and he told me," answered Lobelalatutu. "Good!" ejaculated the professor. "Your brother shall go with us, and point out the place." "Nay," answered the king; "he cannot do that, for he is dead. M'Bongwele slew him with his own hand." "Indeed!" exclaimed the professor. "Why?" "Because he was my brother," answered the king, simply.
Thus carefully examined, three of the chiefs were eventually found to be equally suitable, upon which discovery the choice of one from among them was determined by the simple process of "odd man out," as a result of which to the great satisfaction of the judges Lobelalatutu proved to be the fortunate individual.
"Why, in a few words, I mean this, that so long as Lobelalatutu lives and continues to govern this people we are reasonably safe. But if he should happen to be deposed, and murdered, the new king will most probably sacrifice us both to his fetish as a sort of thank-offering for his success. Twig?" "Of course I do," answered Grosvenor.
"I had never thought of that; but it seems likely enough, now that you come to mention it. It appears to me that our first business must be to straighten out matters, for our own sakes as well as for that of Lobelalatutu. Poor chap!
A moment later the Flying Fish came gently to earth upon the spot which they had just vacated. As she did so, the professor, closely followed by Lobelalatutu, made a dash for the gangway-ladder, down which they hastily descended, and, dropping the rope ladder over the side, rapidly scrambled down to the ground.
When 'Nkuni dies the chiefs who think as I do will be strong enough to act without fear of opposition, and we shall be able to destroy Lobelalatutu and restore the system which prevailed when M'Bongwele reigned, the system by which the chiefs and the witch doctors were able to acquire much wealth instead of living, as we do now, in comparative poverty."
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