"Humph! You feels dam bold, eh? Suppose I holds up my leetle white finger, King Slaleema's men den cut all your troats plenty much quick."
In spite of a feeling of doubt and fear that dwelt at his heart, Duncan burst out laughing.
"Your little white finger, my friend, is as yellow as a duck's foot.
"You see this little revolver?" he added. "Your life and five more of your beastly lot, including your pig of a king, lie in these chambers. Have you any particular longing to be stretched? If not, civility will pay you. Now, will you answer?"
Both Frank and Conal, following their captain's lead, had laid their hands on their pistol-butts.
"Pay?" said the fellow. "S'pose you gift me, I do most anything. Wot you wants foh to know?"
"We will give you gifts. What would you like?"
"English food, tools, a lifel (rifle). Money no good."
"You're modest, but we are liberal. How far are we from the coast?"
"Foh one Englishmans six week. Foh one gentleman Somali, plaps one."