So up the tree he climbed, and was soon snuggled down beside Jack, who did not even wake when the boy lay almost on top of him.
“Mafumu may be helpful to us,” said Pilescu to Ranni. “He knows the language of the tribes around here, he knows where to find fruit and drinking water, and he can guide as well.”
In the morning, what loud cries of amazement came from the tree above, when the children awoke and found Mafumu with them!
“Mafumu!”
“How did you get here, Mafumu?”
“Mafumu, get off me, I can’t move!”
“Mafumu, what have you done to your foot?”
Mafumu sat up on Jack’s legs and grinned round happily.
“Me back,” he said, proud that he could say some English words with the right meaning. “Me back.” Then he went off into his usual gibberish.
“Hallo, goodnight, shutup, what’s the matter!”