Page:Dick Sands the Boy Captain.djvu/469

A MAGICIAN. 441 pointed aloft, and by the significance of his animated gestures indicated that, although the fleeting clouds were now going to the west, they would soon return eastwards with à rotatory motion irresistibly strong. Ail at once, to the surprise of the beholders, he stooped and took the hand of the mighty sovereign of Kazonndé. The courtiers hurried forward to check the unprecedented breach of étiquette, but the foremost was driven back with so staggering a blow that the others deemed it prudent to retire. The queen herself appeared not to take the least offence at the familiarity ; she bestowed a hideous grimace, which was meant for a smile, upon her illustrious visitor, who, still keeping his hold upon her hand, started off walking at a rapid pace, the crowd following in the rear. He directed his steps towards the résidence of Alvez, and finding the door closed, applied his strong shoulder to it with such effect, that it fell bodily to the ground, and the passive sovereign stood within the limits of the enclosure. The trader was about to summon his slaves and soldiers to repel the unceremonious invasion of his premîses, but on behold- ing the queen ail stepped back with respectful révérence. Before Alvez had time to ask the sovereign to what cause he was indebted for the honour of her visit, the magician had cleared a wide space around him, and had once again commenced his performances. Brandishing his arms wildly he pointed to the clouds as though he were arresting them in their course ; he inflated his huge cheeks and blew with ail his strength, as if resolved to disperse the heavy masses, and then stretching hîmàelf to his full height, he appeared to clutch them in his giant grasp. Deeply împressed, the superstitious Moena was half beside herself with excitement ; she uttered loud cries and involuntarily began herself to imitate every one of the mgangds gestures. The entire crowd joined in, and verj^ soon the low guttural note of the sorcerer was lost, totally drownedin theturmoilof howls,shrieks,and discordant songs. To the chagrin, however, both of the queen and her subjects, there was not the slightest intimation that the