"Lord you are as our father and mother," said the gratified chief.
"Therefore I will prevail upon Bosambo, whose heart is now sore against you, to come with his fighting tribes to sit awhile at your city."
The chief's face worked convulsively: he was as one swallowing a noxious draught.
"Lord," he said, speaking under stress of emotion, "we are a poor people, yet we may pay your lordship full taxes, for in the end I think it would be cheaper than Bosambo and his hungry devils."
"So I think!" said Sanders.
CHAPTER III
THE RISE OF THE EMPEROR
Tobolaka, the king of the Isisi, was appointed for his virtues, being a Christian and a Bachelor of Arts.
For a time he ruled his country wisely and might have died full of honour, but his enthusiasm got the better of him.
For Tobolaka had been taken to America when a boy by an enthusiastic Baptist, had been educated at a college and had lectured in America and England. He wrote passable Latin verse, so I am told; was a fluent exponent of the Free Silver Policy of Mr. Bryan, and wore patent leather shoes with broad silk laces.