"What do you mean, sir?"
"See that?" and Mr. Hume pointed at a spot in the valley where many women were at work.
"They are building a hut," said Venning.
"My hut!" Mr. Hume filled his pipe with great deliberation, took a coal from the fire, and stared at his two companions till his hand was scorched. "I am to be married at the full moon!"
Venning sniggered.
"You can't mean it, sir," said Compton.
"It's true enough," said the Hunter, solemnly. "I was passing the acts, as it were, without paying much attention when the women clapped their hands. 'What was that last law?' I said to the chief councillor, whose duty it is to keep the laws in his mind. 'The great chief,' he said, 'will take to himself two wives at the full moon.' 'I repeal that act,' I said; but they would not understand. A law was a law when it became a law, and no one could alter it, but considering my position they would build my hut for me. And, as you see, they are building it."
He stared gloomily down into the valley; while Venning and Compton made singular grimaces in the effort to keep becomingly grave.
"It is a great honour," said Compton, presently.
"And two of them!" said Venning. "I don't know, I'm sure. I'm no lawyer, but I rather think that you, as an Englishman, would not be allowed to take two. Polygamy would become bigamy."