He learnt that the Isisi were to be ruled in European fashion. To Tobolaka came Cala, a sycophantic old headman from the village of Toroli, with soft and oily words. Him the king promoted to be Minister of Justice, though he was a notorious thief. Mijilini, the fisher chief, Tobolaka made his Minister of War; he had a Home Secretary, a Minister of Agriculture, and a Fishery Commissioner.
Sanders, steaming up-river, was met by the canoe of Limibolo, the Akasava man, and his canoe was decorated with clothes and spears as for a wedding.
"Lord," said the dignified Limibolo, "I go to my village to hold a palaver, for my lord the king has called me by a certain name which I do not understand, but it has to do with the hanging of evil men, and, by Iwa! I know two men in my village who owe me salt, and they shall hang at once, by Death!"
"Then will I come and you shall hang also!" said Sanders cheerlessly. "Be sure of that."
It transpired that the light-hearted Limibolo had been created sheriff.
Tobolaka was on the point of raising an army for his dignity, when Sanders came upon the scene.
He arrived without warning, and Tobolaka had no opportunity for receiving him in the state which the king felt was due equally to himself and to the representative of Government.
But he had ample time to come to the beach to greet the Commissioner according to custom. Instead, he remained before his hut and sent his minister in attendance, the ignoble Cala.
"O Cala!" said Sanders as he stepped ashore across the Zaire's narrow gangway, "what are you in this land?"
"Lord," said Cala, "I am a great catcher of thieves by order of our lord; also, I check evil in every place."