The Leopard1 Woman, emerging from her tent shortly after sunup the next morning, saw across the opening her own _askaris_ being drilled by Kingozi, Simba, and Cazi Moto. Evidently the instruction was in rifle fire. Two were getting individual treatment: Simba and Cazi Moto were putting them through a careful course in aiming and pulling the trigger on empty guns. Kingozi sat on a chop box in the shade, gripping his eternal pipe, and issuing curt2 orders and criticisms to the baker's dozen, before him. When he saw the Leopard Woman he arose and strolled in her direction.
"That's the worst lot of so-called _askaris_ I ever saw," he remarked. "Where did you pick them up?"
His manner was entirely3 unconscious of any discussions or dissentions. He looked into her eyes and smiled genially4.
"I took them from the recruiting man, as they came," she replied. As always the deeps of her eyes were enigmatical; but the surfaces, at least, of her mood answered his.
"They know how to load a gun, and that is about all. I don't believe one of them ever fired a weapon before this trip. They haven't the most rudimentary ideas of aiming. Don't even know what sights are for. My boys will soon whip them into some sort of shape. I came over to see how much ammunition5 you have for their muskets6. They really ought to fire a few rounds--after a week of aiming and snapping. Then they'll be of some use. Not much, though."
"I really don't know," she answered his question. "Chake will look and see."
"Send him over to report when he finds out," requested Kingozi, preparing to return.
"What move does your wisdom contemplate7 to-day?" she called after him.
"Oh, return his majesty's visit this afternoon. Like to go?"
"Certainly."
"Well, I'll let you know when. And if you go, you must be content to stand two or three yards behind me, and to say nothing."
She flushed, but answered steadily8 enough:
"I'll remember."
It was nearing sundown when Kingozi emerged from his tent and gave the signal to move. He had for the first time strapped9 on a heavy revolver; his glasses hung from his neck; his sleeve was turned back to show his wrist watch; and, again for the first time, he had assumed a military- looking tunic10. He carried his double rifle.
"Got on everything I own," he grinned.
Simba and Cazi Moto waited near. From the mysterious sources every native African seems to possess they had produced new hats and various trinkets. Their khakis had been fresh washed; so they looked neat and trim.
The Leopard Woman wore still one of her silken negligees, and the jewel on her forehead; but her hair had been piled high on her head. Kingozi surveyed her with some particularity. She noted11 the fact. Her satisfaction would have diminished could she have read his mind. He was thinking that her appearance was sufficiently12 barbaric to impress a barbaric king.
They rounded the point of cliffs, and the village lay before them. It rambled13 up the side of the mountain, hundreds of beehive houses perched and clinging, with paths from one to the other. The approach was through a narrow straight lane of thorn and aloes, so thick and so spiky14 that no living thing bigger than a mouse could have forced its way through the walls. The end of this vista15 was a heavy palisade of timbers through which a door led into a circular enclosure ten feet in diameter, on the other side of which another door opened into the village. Above each of these doors massive timbers were suspended ready to fall at the cut of a sword. Within the little enclosure, or double gate, squatted16 a man before a great drum.
"They're pretty well fixed17 here," observed Kingozi critically. "Nobody can get at them except down that lane. The mountains are impassable because of the thorn. They must use arrows."
"Why?" asked the Leopard Woman.
"The form of their defence. They shoot between the logs of the palisade down the narrow lane. If they fought only with spears, the lane would be shorter, and it would be defended on the flank."
"Why don't they defend it on the flank also, even with arrows?" asked the Leopard Woman shrewdly.
"'It is not the custom,'" wearily quoted Kingozi in the vernacular18. "Don't ask me _why_ a savage19 does things. I only know he does."
Their conversation was drowned by the sound of the drum.
The guardian20 did not beat it, but rubbed the head rapidly with the stick, modifying the pressure scientifically until the vibrations21 had well started. It roared hollowly, like some great bull.
The visitors passed through the defensive22 anteroom and entered the village enclosure.
On the flat below the hills, heretofore invisible, stood a half-dozen large houses. At the end, where the canon began to narrow, a fence gleamed dazzlingly white. From this distance the four-foot posts, planted in proximity23 like a stockade24, looked to have been whitewashed25.
People were appearing everywhere. The crags and points of the hills were filling with bold black figures silhouetted26 against the sky. Men, women, children, dogs sprang up, from the soil apparently27. As though by magic the flat open space became animated28. Plumed29 heads appeared above the white fence in the distance, where, undoubtedly30, their owners had been loafing in the shade. Another drum began to roar somewhere, and with it the echoes began to arouse themselves in the hills.
Paying no attention to any of this interesting confusion Kingozi sauntered straight ahead. At his command the Leopard Woman had dropped a pace to the rear.
"The royal palace is behind the white fence," he volunteered over his shoulder.
They approached the sacred precincts. But while yet fifty yards distant, Kingozi stopped with an exclamation31. He turned to the Leopard Woman, and for the first time she saw on his face and in his eyes a genuine and unconcealed excitement.
"My Lord!" he cried to her, "saw ever any man the likes of that!"
The white posts of which the fence was made were elephants' tusks32!
"Kingdom coming, what a sight!" murmured Kingozi. "Why, there are hundreds and hundreds of them--and the smallest worth not less than fifty pounds!"
Her eyes answered him whole-heartedly, for her imagination was afire.
"What magnificence!" she replied. "The thought is great--a palace of ivory! This is kingly!"
But the light had died in Kingozi's eyes. "Won't do!" he muttered to her. "Compose your face. Come."
Without another glance at the magnificent tusks he marched on through the open gate.
Other drums, many drums, were roaring all about. The cliff of the canon was filled with sound that buffeted33 back and forth34 until it seemed that it must rise above the hills and overflow35 the world. A chattering36 and hurrying of people could be heard as an undertone.
The small enclosure was occupied by a dozen of the plumed warriors37 who had now snatched up emblazoned shield and polished spear; and stood rigidly39 at attention. Women of all ages crouched40 and squatted against the fence and the sides of a large wattle and thatch41 building.
Kingozi walked deliberately42 about, looking with detached interest at the various people and objects the corral contained. He had very much the air of a man sauntering idly about a museum, with all the time in the world on his hands, and nowhere much to go. Simba and Cazi Moto remained near the gate. The Leopard Woman, not knowing what else to do, trailed after him.
This continued for some time. At last her impatience43 overcame her.
"I suppose I may talk," said she resentfully. "How much longer must this go on? Why do not you make your call and have it over?"
Kingozi laughed.
"You do not know this game. Inside old Stick-in-the mud is waiting in all his grandeur44. He expects me to go in to him. I am going to wait until he comes out to me. _Prestige_ again."
Apparently without a care in the world, he continued his stroll. Small naked children ventured from hiding-places and stared. To some of these Kingozi spoke45 pleasantly with the immediate46 effect of causing them to scuttle47 back to cover. He examined minutely the tusks comprising the stockade. They had been arranged somewhat according to size, with the curve outward. Kingozi spent some time estimating them.
"Fortune here for some one," he observed.
At the end of an hour the _sultani_ gave up the contest and appeared, smiling, unconcerned. The men greeted each other, exchanged a few words. Women emerged from the house carrying _tembo_ in gourd48 bottles, and smaller half-gourds from which to drink it. Their eyes were large with curiosity as to this man and woman of a new species. Kingozi touched his lips to the _tembo_. They exchanged a few words, and shook hands again. Then Kingozi turned away, and, followed by the Leopard Woman and his two men, walked out through the ivory gateway49, down through the open flat, under the fortified50 portal, and so down the lane of spiky walls. The drums roared louder and louder. Warriors in spear, shield, and plumed headdress stood rigid38 as they passed. People by the hundreds gazed at them openly, peered at them from behind doors, or looked down on them from the crags above. They rounded the corner of the cliff. Before them lay their own quiet peaceful camp. Only the voice of the drums bellowed51 as though behind them in the cleft52 of the hills some great and savage beast lay hid.
"That seemed to be all right," suggested the Leopard Woman, ranging alongside again.
"They didn't spear us, if that's what you mean. We can tell more about it to-morrow."
"What will happen to-morrow?"
"Yesterday and to-day finished the 'side' and ceremony. If to-morrow old Stick-in-the-mud drifts around quite on his own, like any other _shenzi_, and if the women come into camp freely, why then we're all right."
"And otherwise?"
"Well, if the _sultani_ stays away, and if you don't see any women at all, and if the men are painted and carry their shields--they will always carry their spears--that won't be so favourable53." "In which case we fight?"
"No: I'll alter my diplomacy54. There's a vast difference between mere55 unfriendliness and hostility56. I think I can handle the former all right. I wish I knew a little more of their language. Swahili hardly fills the bill. I'll see what I can do with it in the next few days."
"You cannot learn a language in a few days!" she objected incredulously.
"Of course not. But I seem to know the general root idea of this patter. It isn't unlike the N'gruimi--same root likely--a bastard57 combination of Bantu-Masai stock."
She looked at him.
"You know," she told him slowly, "I am beginning to believe you _savant_. You make not much of it, but your knowledge of natives is extraordinary. You better than any other man know these people--their minds--how to influence them."
"I have a little knowledge of how to go at them, that's true. That's about the only claim I have to being _savant_, as you call it. My book knowledge and fact knowledge is equalled by many and exceeded by a great many more. But mere knowledge of facts doesn't get far in practice," he laughed. "Lord, these scientists! Helpless as children!" He sobered again. "There's one man has the science and the psychology58 both. He's a wonderful person. He knows the native objectively as I never will; and subjectively59 as well if not better. It is a rare combination. He's 'way over west of us somewhere now--in the Congo headwaters--a Bavarian, name Winkleman."
Had Kingozi been looking at her he would have seen the Leopard Woman's frame stiffen60 at the mention of this name. For a moment she said nothing.
"I know the name--he is great scientist," she managed to say.
"He is more than a scientist; he is a great humanist. No man has more insight, more sympathetic insight into the native mind. A man of vast influence."
They had reached Kingozi's camp under the great tree. He began to unbuckle his equipment.
"I'll just lay all this gorgeousness aside," said he apologetically.
But the Leopard Woman did not proceed to her own camp.
"I am interested," said she. "This Winkleman--he has vast influence? More than yourself?"
"That is hard to say," laughed Kingozi. "I should suppose so."
She caught at a hint of reluctant pride in his voice.
"Let us suppose," said she. "Let us suppose that you wanted one thing of natives, and Winkleman wanted another thing. Which would succeed?"
"Neither. We'd both be speared," replied Kingozi promptly61. "Positive and negative poles, and all that sort of thing."
She puzzled over this a moment, trying to cast her question in a new form.
"But suppose this: suppose Winkleman had obtained his wish. Could you overcome his influence and what-you-call substitute your own?"
"No more than he could substitute his were the cases reversed. I've confidence enough in myself and knowledge enough of Winkleman to guarantee that."
"So it would depend on who got there first?" she persisted; "that is your opinion?"
"Why, yes. But what does it matter?"
"It amuses me to get knowledge. I admire your handle of these people. You must be patient and explain. It is all new to me, although I thought I had much experience."
She arose.
"I am tired now. I go to the _siesta_."
Kingozi stared after her retreating figure. The direct form of her questions had stirred again suspicions that had become vague.
"What's she driving at?" he asked the uncomprehending Simba in English. He considered the question for some moments. "Don't even know her name or nationality," he confessed to himself after a while. "She's a queer one. I suppose I'll have to give her a man or so to help her back across the Thirst." He pondered again, "I might take her _askaris_. Country will feed them now. I'll have a business talk with her."
As the tone of voice sounded final to Simba he ventured his usual reply.
"Yes, suh!" said Simba.
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leopard
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| n.豹 | |
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curt
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| adj.简短的，草率的 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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genially
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| adv.亲切地，和蔼地；快活地 | |
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ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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muskets
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| n.火枪，（尤指）滑膛枪( musket的名词复数 ) | |
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contemplate
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| vt.盘算，计议；周密考虑；注视，凝视 | |
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steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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strapped
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| adj.用皮带捆住的，用皮带装饰的；身无分文的；缺钱；手头紧v.用皮带捆扎(strap的过去式和过去分词)；用皮带抽打；包扎；给…打绷带 | |
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tunic
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| n.束腰外衣 | |
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noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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rambled
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| （无目的地）漫游( ramble的过去式和过去分词 )； （喻）漫谈； 扯淡； 长篇大论 | |
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spiky
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| adj.长而尖的，大钉似的 | |
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vista
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| n.远景，深景，展望，回想 | |
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squatted
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| v.像动物一样蹲下( squat的过去式和过去分词 )；非法擅自占用（土地或房屋）；为获得其所有权；而占用某片公共用地。 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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vernacular
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| adj.地方的，用地方语写成的；n.白话；行话；本国语；动植物的俗名 | |
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savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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vibrations
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| n.摆动( vibration的名词复数 )；震动；感受；（偏离平衡位置的）一次性往复振动 | |
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defensive
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| adj.防御的；防卫的；防守的 | |
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proximity
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| n.接近，邻近 | |
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stockade
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| n.栅栏，围栏；v.用栅栏防护 | |
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whitewashed
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| 粉饰，美化，掩饰( whitewash的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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silhouetted
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| 显出轮廓的，显示影像的 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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plumed
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| 饰有羽毛的 | |
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undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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tusks
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| n.（象等动物的）长牙( tusk的名词复数 )；獠牙；尖形物；尖头 | |
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buffeted
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| 反复敲打( buffet的过去式和过去分词 )； 连续猛击； 打来打去； 推来搡去 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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overflow
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| v.(使)外溢，(使)溢出；溢出，流出，漫出 | |
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chattering
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| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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rigidly
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| adv.刻板地，僵化地 | |
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crouched
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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thatch
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| vt.用茅草覆盖…的顶部；n.茅草(屋) | |
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deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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grandeur
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| n.伟大，崇高，宏伟，庄严，豪华 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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scuttle
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| v.急赶，疾走，逃避；n.天窗；舷窗 | |
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gourd
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| n.葫芦 | |
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gateway
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| n.大门口，出入口，途径，方法 | |
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50
fortified
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| adj. 加强的 | |
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51
bellowed
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| v.发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的过去式和过去分词 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫 | |
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cleft
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| n.裂缝；adj.裂开的 | |
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favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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diplomacy
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| n.外交；外交手腕，交际手腕 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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hostility
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| n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争 | |
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bastard
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| n.坏蛋，混蛋；私生子 | |
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psychology
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| n.心理，心理学，心理状态 | |
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subjectively
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| 主观地； 臆 | |
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stiffen
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| v.(使)硬，(使)变挺，(使)变僵硬 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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