All these arguments and calculations result in the adoption of the plan proposed by de Morin; but Munza has not yet given his decision, and we consequently do not know whether he will accept or not.
* * * * * *
He has accepted. One glance at the sky sufficed to enlighten us as regards his reply.
Towards nine o'clock the whole night was suddenly lit up, quivering tongues of fire leaped up sky-wards, and made even the stars look pale. The harem was on fire; more than three hundred huts had fallen a prey to the devouring element. In a few moments all the dwellings of Munza's wives had disappeared, and not a trace of them was left behind.
And whilst the people surge to and fro, in admiration of the stupendous conflagration, whilst they clap their hands, and dance, and shout, the drums, ivory horns, and trumpets mingle their harsh sounds with the surrounding din, and officers hurry through the crowd, bearing the news that the King has declared war against the tribes of the south.
The shouts are renewed with redoubled energy, and the crowd chants the national hymn, "Ee Ee, tchupy, tchupy, Ee, Munza, Ee." The horizon is ablaze with light, the fire rages in all its fury and splendour, and the eighty wives of Munza, houseless now, bound two by two, and escorted by soldiers, are led towards our encampment.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
The burning of an entire village, the dispersion of three hundred mothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, and the beheading of eighty wives, are in Munza's eyes insufficient to prove his love. He shows a disposition towards delicate attentions also, and, under the impression that Madame de Guéran might be at a loss how to house her stock of slaves, he has sent to our encampment a host of servants with orders to erect a huge shed.
The idea is a charming one, and bespeaks an excellent heart. Indeed, these poor wretches, robbed since morning of their royal spouse, hurled down suddenly from a lofty position, and threatened with the loss of their heads, could scarcely be left at night without some sheltering roof.
From motives of delicacy, we were not present at their arrival, but we are told that they exhibit neither anger nor humiliation. Fear alone possesses them—fear as to the punishment or torture in reserve for them at the hands of the white woman, to whom they have been presented. Perhaps they dread being eaten, one after another, by their new mistress, but on this score they may make their minds easy. Madame de Guéran will not push her jealousy to such an extreme as that.