"Pah!" the younger said, "Gobolohlo good king, but he not make plenty good meat fo' de Bleetish mans ob war."
But the very next day, Boona, the younger queen, seemed very sad, and after the boy had done piping, she came and squatted beside him.
"You too good foh kill. All same to-mollow you be kill and eat."
This was certainly somewhat disquieting news, and he naturally wanted to know why this change of plans had come about.
His voice trembled a little as he spoke.
"De oder queen, she hate pooh Boona. Den she think I lub you vely mooch. She de stronger queen, and so she killee you to-mollow."
Kep could see now that it was a case of jealousy. Boona laid her naked arm across Kep's shoulder, and once more rubbed noses.
"Goodeebye," she said; "only I nebber see you mo, till you dead and roas', and de odder queen, she eatee all de bes' bits ob my boy. No let Boona taste."
For the last two or three nights Kep had been allowed to sleep without the galling fetters, but this evening he was more strongly bound than ever.
He did not close his eyes once. He knew the end had come, and that his messmates would be able only to guess how he had suffered.