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Some daubed themselves with mud, and gave signs of the greatest servility to this hideous majesty. Moini Loungga hardly looked at all these people, and walked, keeping his limbs apart, as if the ground were rolling and pitching.
The traders disputed over the lots with an ardor of which the London Exchange would give but an imperfect idea, even on a day when stocks were rising. All business was stopped, and the criers took their breath as soon as the discordant concert commenced. The King of Kazounde, Moini Loungga, had come to honor the great "lakoni" with a visit.
Toward the end of the day they began to carpet it, at the bottom and along the walls, with living women, chosen among Moini Loungga's slaves. Generally those unfortunates are buried alive. But, on account of this strange and perhaps miraculous death of Moini Loungga, it had been decided that they should be drowned near the body of their master.
"I am thirsty," replied the monarch. "He will take his part in the business of the great 'lakoni," added Alvez. "Drink!" replied Moini Loungga. "My friend Negoro is happy to see the King of Kazounde again, after such a long absence." "Drink!" repeated the drunkard, whose whole person gave forth a disgusting odor of alcohol.
A numerous train of women, officers, soldiers and slaves followed him. Alvez and some other traders went to meet him, and naturally exaggerated the attention which this crowned brute particularly enjoyed. Moini Loungga was carried in an old palanquin, and descended, not without the aid of a dozen arms, in the center of the large square. This king was fifty years old, but he looked eighty.
They will eat him alive. They have not forgotten the taste of human flesh!" exclaimed Moini Loungga. He was, in fact, the king of a tribe of man-eaters, that Massongo. It is only too true that in certain provinces of Central Africa cannibalism is still openly practised.
Moini Loungga, from the fact of occupying a throne, pretended to be of celestial origin, and had any of his subjects doubted the fact, he would have sent them into another world to discover it. He said that, being of a divine essence, he was not subject to terrestrial laws. If he ate, it was because he wished to do so; if he drank, it was because it gave him pleasure.
Barrels holding alcohol of inferior quality, but well refined, were emptied into the basin. They spared neither the cinnamon, nor the allspice, nor any of the ingredients that might improve this punch for savages. All had made a circle around the king. Moini Loungga advanced staggering to the basin.
She did not know that Tom and his friends had been sold to a trader from Oujiji, and that they would soon set out. She neither knew of Harris's punishment, nor of King Moini Loungga's death, nor of the royal funeral ceremonies, that had added Dick Sand to so many other victims.
The child was nursed at Descoutoux by Gabrielle Moini, who was paid a month in advance; but she only kept it a week or so, because they refused to tell her the father and mother and to refer her to a place where she might send reports of her charge. This woman having made these reasons public, no nurse could be found to take charge of the child, which was removed from the village of Descoutoux.
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