"They want to set right the error of yesterday."
"But the Wangoni don't care a grain of rice for Allah and his Prophet," he went on. "Why, then, are they dissatisfied?"
"They are instruments in the hands of those who do. It is so written. Allah is great. Who may call in question his decrees?" replied the Arab, in the same level monotone. "Let the people do their will, which is also the will of Allah."
During this conversation the whole party had halted, and now stood in a great semicircle around the white leaders. Then Mashumbwe spoke, and his words, though fairly courteous, managed to cover an extremely defiant tone.
"Our people are dissatisfied, father," he said, addressing Hazon. "They desire to return home."
"Wherefore?" asked Hazon shortly.
"Au! they came forth to 'eat up' other tribes, not to spare such. They are dissatisfied."
"They'd better have their own way," muttered Hazon, in English. "You are sacrificing all we have done and obtained this trip to an empty whim. How does that pan out, Stanninghame?"
"I hate to go back on my word," was the reply; "still more to be bullied into it."