The man, pointing in the direction of Makanda, wanted to know whether Crouch and his companions were allies of the Fire-gods.
"No," said Crouch. "We are come to make war upon the Fire-gods."
The man but half believed that. None the less, he agreed to take them to the village. They urged him to set forward without delay, since it had already grown dark.
It was past nightfall when they arrived at a narrow street of small, rounded huts, constructed of bamboo stems and palm leaves. Despite the fact that they came with one of the villagers, the majority of the inhabitants fled at their approach. This wild people were timid, shy as animals; also, as we shall see, they stood in a mortal fear of Cæsar and his Arabs.
As they approached the village, Crouch managed to gain the confidence of their captive. Where natives were concerned the little sea-captain had a way with him. The man promised that if they would wait till the morning he would persuade his friends to attend a palaver.
That night they had the village to themselves. The inhabitants--men, women and children--had disappeared into the valley, where they spent the night in fear and trembling. This is the common behaviour of many uncivilized peoples when, for the first time in their lives, they behold the indomitable white man. And these villagers had the greater reason to be fearful, since they associated the explorers with the Fire-gods.
Fortunately, they had fled in such haste that they had left most of their provisions in their huts. Crouch and his companions enjoyed a change of diet. That night they dined upon the flesh of a goat, which they resolved to pay for on the morrow, besides plantains and Indian corn.
They took turn and turn about to keep watch throughout the night, but there was no alarm. At daybreak they stationed themselves upon an eminence above the village, hoping that the inhabitants would summon up courage to return. Below them was the cultivated ground through which they had passed the previous evening. The greater part had been given over to the culture of ground-nuts; but there were also small patches of Indian corn and banana groves. The explorer who wishes to succeed with the untutored savage must possess his soul in patience by the hour. Crouch sat down and lit his pipe.
Shortly before midday, several dusky figures appeared from out of the jungle, and made their way to the plantation. There they remained in a body, frightened to come nearer; and by the aid of his field-glass, Max was able to make out the figure of Crouch's "blood-brother" who, gesticulating wildly, endeavoured to persuade his friends and relations to return.
Seeing that this was going to be a long business, Crouch suggested that they should walk down to the village and partake of food. Since their hosts were unwilling to entertain them, it only remained for them to help themselves. This they did with liberality, for they had the appetites of lions.