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Updated: June 26, 2025
"But, major, if you do condemn me to his company, please let us have Mafuta again, for Wilkins and I are like two uncongenial stones, and he acts as lime to keep us together." "Don't you think that Hicks had better be consulted before we make arrangements?" suggested Pearson.
"They are gone, baas," remarked Mafuta, as he again passed with more fuel; "but we must keep up the fires; for they are almost certain to come back again. They are young lions who have been driven away from the pool, and not allowed to hunt there by the old ones, and they are hungry.
At the end of the second day's rest Mafuta who had by this time completely won the confidence of the two leaders of the expedition, and had attained rather to the position of a humble comrade than a mere follower gave it as his opinion that the oxen had now sufficiently recovered to justify the party in resuming their journey; and accordingly on the following morning the animals were once more inspanned.
"It is a decoction of the leaves of the plant that hangs immediately over your head," answered Sekosini. Dick reached up and touched a thick branch depending from the roof of the hut. "This?" he asked. Sekosini assented, and Dick took down the branch and examined it. It seemed quite an ordinary shrub to all appearance. He handed it over to Mafuta for safekeeping. "Next question," said Dick.
Nor was it very long before the travellers had abundant reason to congratulate themselves upon their decision in this respect, for Mafuta not only proved to be a most intelligent and devoted servant, but also a splendid guide, knowing the exact localities of the various streams and waterholes on their route, as far as the Zambezi, also the most favourable crossing places, where the best grass and the most game were to be found, and, most important of all, perhaps, the exact boundaries of the fly country.
On reaching the river the boat was launched on a part where there was nothing particularly striking to merit notice, so Tom said: "D'you know, Bob, I've taken a fancy to ramble alone for an hour along the banks of this river; will you, like a good fellow, get into the boat with Mafuta, and let me go along the banks on foot for a few miles.
These they handed over to the care of Mafuta, Jantje, and 'Nkuku the voorlouper; then, directing the trio to follow them, Dick and Grosvenor mounted their horses and rode at a foot-pace to the king's village.
Divide yourselves as you choose, and I'll go up to make arrangements with the old chief." In accordance with the trader's advice the party was divided. Tom Brown, Wilkins, and Mafuta, as on a former occasion, determined to stick together and take to the boat. The others, under the major, went with Hicks and the natives after elephants.
"Here, Mafuta," he cried, "strike a light, and get me a long feather of some sort out of a bird's wings." The wondering native got up and did as he was commanded. "Now, Mafuta, shove the feather down my throat. Don't be afraid. I'll give you a dig in the ribs if you go too far." The result of this operation was speedy and complete. The sick man was relieved.
"Who is it, Mafuta a man, or a woman?" demanded Dick. "It is a man, 'mlungu" answered Mafuta. Then, drawing still nearer, and lowering his voice almost to a whisper, he added: "He says he is named Lobelalatutu!" "The king!" exclaimed Dick, starting to his feet in amazement. "What the dickens is up now, I wonder? Is he armed, Mafuta?" "Nay, lord, he is weaponless," answered Mafuta.
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