Feeling that they must put on a bold front, the two boys advanced with rifles ready; and, seeing this, and hearing the words of Coffee and Chicory, which they understood, the black warriors stopped short, spoke to one another for a few moments, and then, changing their tone, began to beg for some of the meat.
“Say they’re very hungry. Want meat,” said Chicory.
Dick spoke to Jack, and then told Coffee to be the interpreter of their wishes, explaining to him what to say.
Coffee jauntily flourished his kiri, and with a bold, defiant bearing, marched close up to the warriors, and showing them the scars made by the lion’s claws, told them that they were made by the biggest lion in the world, and his young masters went and killed it with their wonder-guns.
“And now the young kings say you may go and eat the big eland they shot, and fill yourselves full.”
The men set up a shout, flourished their weapons, and began to dance, after which they threw themselves upon the ground, as if they wanted to make themselves into black door-mats, Dick said; and ended by taking up and turning back on the little hunting-party’s trail till they found the eland.
“Yes,” said Mr Rogers, as they related their experience; “you were quite right. These people seem to me more like children than men, and a good bold front will generally make them respect the white man; especially, my boys, if he is firm and, above all, perfectly just.”