“Yes; don’t bother him, or he may go off. Afraid. The boss mightn’t like it.”
“Not like it?”
“No. Saw him cleaning his spear.”
Glances were exchanged, and the looks seemed in silent language to tell the tragic story that either Mak or his little companion had speared and afterwards buried the enemy they had overcome.
“I don’t like this, doctor,” said Sir James. “It’s tragedy. What can we do?”
“Nothing,” said the doctor gravely.
“But these men—for I suppose we must call that little savage a man, though he looks a child—”
“The big herculean black is no bigger in intellect. If they have killed a brother savage I cannot feel that our consciences are to blame. The men were here to rob, and if we had caught them in the act I honestly believe that it might have cost us our lives.”
“Probably,” said Sir James; “but we must make them understand our utter abhorrence of the deed, and threaten punishment for the act.”
“No, Sir James. Remember the old saying, Example is better than Precept. I feel sure that if we interfere with them with any stringency of action they will forsake us at once.”