and thou Scragga, beware! Play us no tricks, set for us no snares, for before your brains of mud have thought of them we shall know and avenge them. The light from the transparent eye of him with the bare legs and the half-haired face shall destroy you, and go through your land; his vanishing teeth shall fix themselves fast in you and eat you up, you and your wives and children; the magic tubes shall talk with you loudly, and make you sieves. Beware!"
This magnificent address did not fail of its effect; indeed, it was hardly needed, so deeply were our friends already impressed with our powers.
The old man made a deep obeisance, and murmured the words "Koom, Koom," which I afterwards discovered was their royal salute, corresponding to the Bayéte of the Zulus, and turning, addressed his followers. They at once proceeded to lay hold of all our goods and chattels, in order to bear them for us, excepting only the guns, which they would on no account touch. They even seized Good's clothes, that, as the reader may remember, were neatly folded up beside him.
He saw and made a dive for them, and a loud altercation ensued.
"Let not my lord of the transparent Eye and the melting Teeth touch them," said the old man. "Surely his slaves shall carry the things."
"But I want to put 'em on!" roared Good, in nervous English.
Umbopa translated.
"Nay, my lord," answered Infadoos, "would my lord cover up his beautiful white legs (although he is so dark Good has a singularly white skin) from the eyes of his servants? Have we offended my lord that he should do such a thing?"
