“O Allan, Holy Flower there a god, and my mother priestess. If Holy Flower tired of this land, and want to grow somewhere else, why priestess not carry it and go too?”
“Capital idea,” I said, “but you see, Miss Hope, there are, or were, two gods, one of which cannot travel.”
“Oh! that very easy, too. Put skin of god of the woods on to this man,” and she pointed to Hans, “and who know difference? They like as two brothers already, only he smaller.”
“She’s got it! By Jingo, she’s got it!” exclaimed Stephen in admiration.
“What Missie say?” asked Hans, suspiciously.
I told him.
“Oh! Baas,” exclaimed Hans, “think of the smell inside of that god’s skin when the sun shines on it. Also the god was a very big god, and I am small.”
Then he turned and made a proposal to Mavovo, explaining that his stature was much better suited to the job.
“First will I die,” answered the great Zulu. “Am I, who have high blood in my veins and who am a warrior, to defile myself by wrapping the skin of a dead brute about me and appear as an ape before men? Propose it to me again, Spotted Snake, and we shall quarrel.”
“See here, Hans,” I said. “Mavovo is right. He is a soldier and very strong in battle. You also are very strong in your wits, and by doing this you will make fools of all the Pongo. Also, Hans, it is better that you should wear the skin of a gorilla for a few hours than that I, your master, and all these should be killed.”