"Kali, take Saba into the tree, close the entrance with thorns, and guard the little lady with Mea as the eye in your head, while I go and see what kind of people are in that camp."
"Great master, take Kali with you and the rifle which kills bad animals. Kali does not want to stay."
"You shall stay!" Stas said firmly. "And I forbid you to go with me."
After which he became silent, but presently said in a somewhat hollow voice:
"Kali, you are faithful and prudent, so I am confident that you will do what I tell you. If I should not return and the little lady should die, you will leave her in the tree, but around the tree you will build a high zareba and on the bark you will carve a great sign like this."
And taking two bamboos, he formed them into a cross, after which he continued thus:
"If, however, I do not return and the 'bibi' does not die you shall honor her and serve her faithfully, and afterwards you shall conduct her to your people, and tell the Wahima warriors that they should go continually to the east until they reach the great sea. There you will find white men who will give you many rifles, much powder, beads, and wire, and as much cloth as you are able to carry. Do you understand?"
And the young negro threw himself on his knees, embraced Stas' limbs, and began to repeat mournfully:
"Bwana kubwa! You will return! You will return!"
Stas was deeply touched by the black boy's devotion, so he leaned over him, placed his hand on his head, and said: