Max was getting tired of the assumed position, but he saw no way out of it.
One thing troubled both explorers—they were either going in the wrong direction, or the distance was greater than they had imagined.
They, however, had to submit.
They were treated as superior mortals, and oftentimes were in dilemmas from which it was difficult to extricate themselves.
One morning the deputy chief who was in command of the Gondos threw himself on his stomach in front of Max and wriggled like a snake to attract attention.
“What is it, M’Kamba?” asked Ibrahim.
“The great chief hath said it,” answered the native.
“What hath he said?”
“That the wonderful medicine man whose life could not be destroyed”—meaning Max—“must take all the cymbal girls as his wives, and his great friend, whose tongue speaketh wonders, shall take all the drummer girls as his wives.”
“Allah forbid!” ejaculated Ibrahim, under his breath.