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Updated: June 1, 2025
Summoning him, after the ambush had been properly arranged and the men placed, he said, "Come here, you villain." Wapoota knew that Ongoloo was not displeased with him by the nature of his address. He therefore followed, without anxiety, to a retired spot among the bush-covered rocks. "You can screech, Wapoota?"
Thus, for several days, the madman and the savage dwelt amicably together, and slept side by side during the night; but Zeppa made it very apparent that he did not wish for his visitor's society during the day-time, and the visitor had the sense to let him wander forth alone. Wapoota was mistaken when he calculated on the cooling of Ongoloo's wrath.
Both locks and beard had also changed from black to iron-grey during these months of lonely wandering. His dress, too, had become much disordered and ragged, so that altogether his appearance and fierce aspect were eminently fitted to strike terror to the heart of a more courageous man than Wapoota, who happened to be rather mild in disposition.
In proof of the truth of this assertion he ordered his men to seize and bind Wapoota, and proceed at once with the execution of his cruel purpose. The unfortunate wretch, unable to face the appalling prospect gave vent to a series of terrible shrieks, and struggled fiercely while they bound him.
Accordingly when he reached the cave and saw Zeppa busy beside his fire with a cocoa-nut, he assumed a stooping attitude of profound respect, and drew near. Zeppa looked up with a frown, as if annoyed at the intrusion. "Your unworthy son," began Wapoota, "comes to " But he got no further. He could not well have hit upon a more unfortunate phrase.
The chief was amusing himself at the time by watching his prime minister Wapoota playing with little Lippy, who had become a favourite at the palace since Zeppa had begun to take notice of her. "I would palaver with the chief," said the missionary. "Let Lippy be gone," said the chief.
As this remark might have been meant for a covert reference to his own thievish tendencies, Wapoota restrained his somewhat ghastly humour, while the chief continued his arrangements for repelling the invaders. Meanwhile, these invaders were getting into the boat. "What! you's not goin' widout me?" exclaimed Ebony, as one of the sailors thrust him aside from the gangway.
One roar from the maniac sent these flying like chaff before the wind. It must be added, however, for the credit of the men of Ratura, that Ongoloo and his warriors had backed up their new leader gallantly. When Wapoota saw his deliverer, he ran to him, panting, and said "Come with me this way Lippy is here!" That was sufficient.
Wapoota led him quietly and slowly down the mountain side, and so, by degrees, right into the native village, where Ongoloo was, of course, prepared to meet and welcome him. He was received by the head men of the tribe with deep respect and conducted to a tent which had been prepared for him, where Wapoota, who had constituted himself his servant or lieutenant made him comfortable for the night.
On beholding his countrymen, the thief's visage underwent a series of remarkable changes, for he knew that escape was impossible, and the expression of his chief's face forbade him to hope for mercy. "I have found you, mine enemy," growled Ongoloo of course in the native tongue. "Mercy!" exclaimed Wapoota, in a piteous tone. "Mercy no longer dwells in my breast," returned the chief.
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