In the course of the evening Winkleman, conceiving that the right moment had come, set himself seriously to establishing a dominance over these members of an inferior race. He was a skilled man at this, none more so; nevertheless he failed. For in the persons of Simba and Mali-ya-bwana he was dealing1 not with natives, but with another white man as shrewd and experienced as himself. Kingozi had from the abundance of his knowledge foreseen exactly what methods and arguments the Bavarian would use, and in his final instructions he had dramatized almost exactly the scene that was now taking place. Simba had his replies ready made for him. When an unexpected argument caught him unaware2, he merely fingered surreptitiously his magic bone, and remained serenely3 silent. Winkleman might as well have talked at a stone wall. He soon recognized this, as also that the man had been coached minutely.
"Who is your _bwana?_" he asked at length.
"He is a very great _bwana_," Simba replied.
"His name?"
"He has many names among many people."
"What name do you call him?"
"I call him _bwana m'kubwa_ (great master)," replied Simba blandly5.
Winkleman gave up this tack6 and tried another.
"What is his business? What does he do here?"
"His business is to fight."
"Ah!" ejaculated Winkleman. "To fight!"
"Yes. His business is to fight the elephant."
Winkleman swore. He could get at nothing this way. He must give his mind to escape.
Early the next morning Simba started. He took with him, of course, his magic bone; but, like a canny7 general, he carried also the rifle. Mali-ya- bwana was left sufficiently8 armed by Winkleman's weapon and the sixteen cartridges9 captured on his person.
By the water-hole Simba found the safari10 encamped. At sight of his khaki- clad figure several men ran to meet him. Their countenances11 were of a cast unfamiliar12 to Simba. He looked at them calmly.
"Does some one speak Swahili?" he inquired.
"_N'dio!_" they assented14 in chorus.
Simba looked about him. This was indeed a great safari, and a rich _bwana_. The tent, of green canvas, was what is known as a "four-man tent"; that is, it took four men to carry it. The pile of loads in the centre of the cleared space was high. There were three tin boxes and many chop boxes among them.
The group moved slowly across the open space, stared at by curious eyes, and came to a halt before a drill tent slightly larger than the little kennels15 assigned to the ordinary porters. Here over a fire bubbled a _sufuria_, the African cooking pot, tended by a naked small boy. A clean mat woven in bright colours carpeted the ground; on this all seated themselves.
It would be tedious to relate each step of the ensuing negotiations16. These simple Africans would have needed no instruction from civilization to carry on the most long-winded submarine controversy17 in the most approved and circuitous18 manner. At the end of one solid hour of grave and polite exchange it developed that the white man was not at present in camp. Somewhat later Simba permitted it to be understood that his own white man was not in the immediate19 neighbourhood. These gems20 of knowledge were separated by much leisurely21 chatter22, and occasional and liberal dippings into the _sufuria_. And thus was the beginning and the end of the first day.
At noon of the second day, after a refreshing23 night's sleep, Simba moved up his forces.
"Your white man is known to me," said he.
Some one remarked appropriately.
"He is a prisoner in my camp."
"In the camp of your white man."
"In my camp. I myself have taken him prisoner," insisted Simba.
"You are telling lies," said the headman of the safari.
Simba took this calmly. In Africa to call a man a liar13 is no insult.
"It is the truth," said he. "With my own hands I took him; and he lies bound in my camp."
"These are lies," persisted the headman. "How can such things be? That you took a white man, a great _bwana?_ That is foolishness. That has never been and could never be. How could you accomplish such a feat24?"
"I have a magic."
"Ho!" cried the headman derisively25. "Everybody knows that a magic is not good against the white man. That has been tried many times!"
"This is a white man's magic."
The statement made a visible impression.
"Let us see it," they demanded.
But Simba refused. He was entirely26 at ease. In his ordinary habit he would have become excited over being doubted, he would have wrangled27, have shouted--in short, would have been but one unit among many equals. But the possession of the magic bone gave him a confidence from outside himself. For the time being he slipped genuinely into the attitude of the white man; became a super-Simba, as it were. This dignity and sureness commenced to have its effect. Almost they began to believe that Simba's words might be true!
At three o'clock the battle closed in.
"My men need _potio_" said Simba. "Let ten loads be put aside, and let ten of these _shenzis_ be told to carry them where I shall say."
But the headman leaped to his feet.
"Who are you to give orders?" he cried. "These things belong to my white man."
"Your white man is my property," replied Simba superbly; and with no further parley28 he shot the headman dead.
Here indeed showed the super-Simba. The dispute might in the ordinary course of events have come to shooting; but only after hours of excited wrangling29, and as a climax30 worked up to in a crescendo31 of emotion. This expeditious32 nipping in the bud was a thoroughly33 white-manly proceeding34.
The headman whirled about under the impact of the high-power bullet at so close a range, and collapsed35 face down. Simba sat calmly in his place. He did not even trouble to place himself in a better defensive36 attitude against possible attack. His confidence in his magic bone was growing to sublimity37 as he noted38 how efficiently39 it carried him through every crisis. All over the camp the porters, startled, leaped to their feet. But at the headmen's fire no one moved. They would ordinarily have been afraid neither of Simba nor Simba's weapons. Firearms were familiar to them. The usual sequence to Simba's deed would have been an immediately defunct40 Simba. But his serene4 confidence in his magic caught their credulity.
The white man's _prestige_ and privileges were invested in him.
"Yours is undoubtedly41 a great magic," said Winkleman's gun bearer politely. "Let us talk."
They talked at great length, without bothering to remove the dead headman. The result was finally a continued respect for Simba, his magic bone, and his ready rifle; but a lingering though polite incredulity as to the matter of Winkleman--_Bwana_ Nyele. It was possible that Simba had killed the latter, of course. But to have taken him alive--and to be holding him prisoner----
It was suggested that the various upper men of this safari accompany Simba to the place of incarceration42. Declined for obvious reasons. Proposition modified to exclude all visitors but one. Still declined.
The debate summarized in the above short paragraph consumed six hours. What is time in the face of an African eternity43? And in Africa, as every one knows, the feeling of eternity is an accompaniment of every-day life.
After some refreshments44 the sitting rose. Simba did not spend the night in camp. That did not seem to him wise. Instead he withdrew to a place he had already marked, deftly45 built himself a withe platform in the spread of an acacia, and slept soundly above the danger line.
Next morning the discussion was resumed. It was all on an amicable46 basis. A bystander would have seen merely a group of lazy native servants gossiping idly. And, indeed, for one word of relevance47 were a dozen of sheer chatter. That is the African way.
Since it was impossible to visit _Bwana_ Nyele, why could not _Bwana_ Nyele be brought to within sight? Simba considered this; but finally rejected it. The risk was too great, magic bone or no magic bone.
"It is probable you speak lies," said the gun bearer at last. "You say you want _potio_ and that you hold _Bwana_ Nyele prisoner. But you do not bring us orders from _Bwana_ Nyele for _potio_. Nor do you give us proof. We must have proof before we believe or before we obey."
"I will bring you _Bwana_ Nyele's gun; or his coat; or anything that is his that you may see that I hold him prisoner."
"Those things prove nothing," the gun bearer pointed48 out. "They might have been taken from a dead man."
They negotiated further. One gifted with the power of seeing only essential things would have found here a strange parallel. For these two men, talking cautiously, clinging with tenacity49 to single points, yielding grudgingly50, would have been the same to him as two shrewd business men coming together on the phrases of a contract, or two diplomats51 framing the terms of a treaty.
Thus well into the third day. By that time an agreement had been reached. It was very simple and direct and practical, when one thinks of it; covered the situation fully52; involved few compromises; and gained each man his point.
Simba demanded _potio_ and obedience53 because he held the mighty54 _m'zungu_ prisoner. The gun bearer wanted indubitable proof not only that Simba held the white man, but that he held him alive.
It was agreed that Simba was to return to his own camp, was to procure55 the proof agreed upon, and was promptly56 to return. The said proof was to be one of _Bwana_ Nyele's fingers, which all agreed would be easily recognizable both as to identity and freshness!
The divulgence57 of this simple little plan by a Simba quite in earnest dissipated Winkleman's last hope of doing anything by means of persuasion58. He knew his African well enough to realize that this fantastic method of identification seemed quite a matter of course. In fact, Simba was at the moment sharpening his hunting knife in preparation. Winkleman swore heartily59 and fluently, then grinned. He was at heart a good soul, Winkleman, with a sense of amusement if not of humour, and a philosophy of life denied most of his inexperienced and theoretical countrymen. And also he realized that he had his work cut out to prevent the program being carried through. The African is slow to come to a definite conclusion, but once it is arrived at it is apt to look to him like a permanent structure. It was a wonderful tribute to Winkleman that it took him only four hours to persuade Simba that there might be another way; and two hours more to convince him that there might even be a better way. When Simba reluctantly and a little doubtfully sheathed60 his knife, the big Bavarian wiped his brow with genuine thankfulness.
The reader need not be wearied by a detailed61 report of the interminable conferences that led up to the substitute plan. It would be a picture of a big bearded man smoking slowly--for until affairs were decided62 he could get no more of his own tobacco--leaning on his elbow beneath the roof of the _banda_. Before him squatted63 on their heels in the posture64 white men find so trying Mali-ya-bwana and Simba, entirely respectful, their shining black eyes fixed65 on the white man. The open ends of the _banda_ gave out on a dry boulder-strewn wash and the parched66 side of a hill. All else was sky. Morning coolness was succeeded by the blaze of midday, when the very surface of the ground danced in the shimmer67; then slowly the shadows crept out, the veils of mirage68 sank to earth, a coolness wandered in from some blessed region; darkness came suddenly; over the parched hill--now looming69 mysterious in black garments--the tropic stars blazed out. Then outside some one lighted a fire. The flames cast lights and shadows within the _banda_ where still the white man leaned on his elbow, the black men squatted on their heels, and the murmur70 of talk went on and on.
But Winkleman got his way. At an appointed hour and at an appointed place Winkleman, Mali-ya-bwana, and two of the carriers met Simba conducting the gun bearer from the other camp. The interview was very short. Indeed it had all been carefully rehearsed. Winkleman said only what he had agreed to say; and thereby71 earned his finger.
"This man holds me prisoner," he told the gun bearer. "What he says is true. Do what he asks you to do. It is my command."
"Yes, _bwana_," agreed the gun bearer.
Then they parted. The immediate result was five loads of _potio_ brought by safari men to "somewhere in Africa," and thence transported by Simba's men to Simba's camp. As game was thereabout abundant and undisturbed everybody was happy.
Thus passed a week, which brought time forward to the moment when Simba, following his instructions, was to report to Kingozi at the village of M'tela. Therefore Simba set forth72, taking with him, according to African custom, one of the porters as companion. He carried Kingozi's rifle, but left that belonging to Winkleman with Mali-ya-bwana.
Winkleman watched Simba go with considerable satisfaction. Mali-ya-bwana was a man much above average African intelligence, but he had not the experience, the initiative, the _flaire_ of Simba. Nor had he Simba's magic bone. Simba took that with him. Winkleman knew nothing of the supposed virtues73 of that property; and in consequence entertained a respect for qualities of Simba that were not entirely inherent in that individual. He began to flatter Mali-ya-bwana; to fraternize just enough; to assume complete resignation to his plight--in short, to use just those tactics a clever man would use to lull74 the alertness of any bright child. Naturally he succeeded. At sundown of the second day he began to complain of the irksomeness of his bonds.
"This is foolishness, so to treat a _m'zungu_," said he. "Nothing is gained. I cannot sleep; and the skin of my wrists is sore. He who watches has only to keep the fire bright. I cannot go like smoke."
To Mali-ya-bwana, in his flattered and unsuspicious mood, this seemed reasonable. He was no such fool as to turn Winkleman loose to his own devices; but he compromised by untying75 the Bavarian's wrists, and doubling the thongs76 by which the latter's ankles were hitched77 to the larger timbers of the _banda_. Also he instructed the sentinel to keep the fire bright, to watch _Bwana_ Nyele, and to stop instantly any and all movements of the hands toward the feet.
The early watches passed quietly. A second sentinel replaced the first. Up to this time Winkleman had slept quietly. Now he began to shift position often, to twist and turn, finally to groan78 softly. The sentinel came to the end of the _banda_ and looked in. To him _Bwana_ Nyele raised a face so ghastly that even the half-savage porter was startled. The man's eyes seemed to have sunk into his head, deep seams to have creased79 his brow and jaws80. Apparently81 Winkleman was on the point of dissolution.
"_Magi! nataka magi!_"[16] he gasped82.
[Footnote 16: Water! I want water!]
The sentinel took the canteen from the peg83 where it hung and bent84 over the dying man. Instantly his throat was clasped by a pair of heavy and powerful hands.
Two minutes later Winkleman rose to his feet free. The porter's knife in his hand, he looked down on that unfortunate securely bound and gagged. Treading softly Winkleman stepped through the sleeping camp into the clear. He drew a deep breath. Then unconsciously wiping from his face the mixture of grease and ashes that had constituted his "make-up," he strode grimly away toward his own safari.
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1
dealing
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| n.经商方法，待人态度 | |
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unaware
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| a.不知道的，未意识到的 | |
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serenely
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| adv.安详地，宁静地，平静地 | |
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serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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blandly
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| adv.温和地，殷勤地 | |
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tack
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| n.大头钉；假缝，粗缝 | |
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canny
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| adj.谨慎的，节俭的 | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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cartridges
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| 子弹( cartridge的名词复数 )； （打印机的）墨盒； 录音带盒； （唱机的）唱头 | |
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safari
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| n.远征旅行(探险、考察)；探险队，狩猎队 | |
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countenances
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| n.面容( countenance的名词复数 )；表情；镇静；道义支持 | |
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unfamiliar
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| adj.陌生的，不熟悉的 | |
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liar
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| n.说谎的人 | |
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assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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kennels
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| n.主人外出时的小动物寄养处，养狗场；狗窝( kennel的名词复数 )；养狗场 | |
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negotiations
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| 协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过 | |
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controversy
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| n.争论，辩论，争吵 | |
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circuitous
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| adj.迂回的路的，迂曲的，绕行的 | |
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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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gems
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| growth； economy； management； and customer satisfaction 增长 | |
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leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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chatter
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| vi.／n.喋喋不休；短促尖叫；(牙齿)打战 | |
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refreshing
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| adj.使精神振作的，使人清爽的，使人喜欢的 | |
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feat
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| n.功绩；武艺，技艺；adj.灵巧的，漂亮的，合适的 | |
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derisively
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| adv. 嘲笑地，嘲弄地 | |
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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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wrangled
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| v.争吵，争论，口角( wrangle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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parley
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| n.谈判 | |
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wrangling
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| v.争吵，争论，口角( wrangle的现在分词 ) | |
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climax
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| n.顶点；高潮；v.(使)达到顶点 | |
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crescendo
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| n.(音乐)渐强，高潮 | |
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expeditious
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| adj.迅速的，敏捷的 | |
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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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collapsed
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| adj.倒塌的 | |
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defensive
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| adj.防御的；防卫的；防守的 | |
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sublimity
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| 崇高，庄严，气质高尚 | |
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noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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efficiently
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| adv.高效率地，有能力地 | |
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defunct
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| adj.死亡的；已倒闭的 | |
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undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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incarceration
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| n.监禁，禁闭；钳闭 | |
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eternity
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| n.不朽，来世；永恒，无穷 | |
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refreshments
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| n.点心,便餐;(会议后的)简单茶点招 待 | |
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deftly
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| adv.灵巧地，熟练地，敏捷地 | |
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amicable
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| adj.和平的，友好的；友善的 | |
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relevance
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| n.中肯，适当，关联，相关性 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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tenacity
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| n.坚韧 | |
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grudgingly
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diplomats
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| n.外交官( diplomat的名词复数 )；有手腕的人，善于交际的人 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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divulgence
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| v.透露，泄露 | |
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persuasion
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| n.劝说；说服；持有某种信仰的宗派 | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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sheathed
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| adj.雕塑像下半身包在鞘中的；覆盖的；铠装的；装鞘了的v.将（刀、剑等）插入鞘( sheathe的过去式和过去分词 )；包，覆盖 | |
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detailed
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| adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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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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posture
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| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
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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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parched
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| adj.焦干的；极渴的；v.（使）焦干 | |
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shimmer
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| v./n.发微光，发闪光；微光 | |
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mirage
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| n.海市蜃楼，幻景 | |
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looming
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| n.上现蜃景（光通过低层大气发生异常折射形成的一种海市蜃楼）v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的现在分词 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
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murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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71
thereby
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| adv.因此，从而 | |
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72
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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73
virtues
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| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
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74
lull
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| v.使安静，使入睡，缓和，哄骗；n.暂停，间歇 | |
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75
untying
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| untie的现在分词 | |
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76
thongs
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| 的东西 | |
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77
hitched
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| （免费）搭乘他人之车( hitch的过去式和过去分词 )； 搭便车； 攀上； 跃上 | |
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78
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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79
creased
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| （使…）起折痕，弄皱( crease的过去式和过去分词 )； （皮肤）皱起，使起皱纹； 皱皱巴巴 | |
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80
jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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81
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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82
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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83
peg
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| n.木栓，木钉；vt.用木钉钉，用短桩固定 | |
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84
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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