He was escorted into the territory by a great army and was lodged in the city of the king. After two days' waiting he was informed that his Majesty would see him, and was led to the Presence.
The Presence was an old man, a vicious old man, if Sanders was any judge of character, who showed unmistakable signs of anger and contempt when the Commissioner displayed his presents.
"And what are these, white man?" said the king. "Toys for my women, or presents for my little chiefs?"
"These are for your Greatness," said Sanders quietly, "from a people who do not gauge friendship by the costliness of presents."
The king gave a little sniff.
"Tell me, white man," he said; "in your travels have you ever seen so great a king as I?"
"Lord king," said Sanders, frank to a fault. "I have seen greater."
The king frowned, and the crowd about his sacred person muttered menacingly.
"There you lie," said the king calmly; "for there never was a greater king than I."
"Let the white man say who is greater," croaked an aged councillor, and a murmur of approval arose.