“But if he does do it?”
“Then Kali will go to the great sheet of water, to the Great Man and Bibi.”
“We shall not be there then.”
“Then Kali will sit down near the water and weep for sorrow.”
At these words he folded his hands over his head and whispered:
“Kali loves the Great Man and Bibi—very much!” And two large tears shone in his eyes.
Stasch hesitated, not knowing what to do. He felt sorry for Kali, but he did not grant his request at once. He knew that—apart from the dangers he might encounter on the return journey—if M’Lana or the sorcerers were to incite the negroes, not only would the young negro be banished from his country, but his life would be endangered.
“It will be much better for you to stay here,” he said; “much better!”
But while he was speaking Nell appeared; she had overheard the whole conversation through the thin partition which separated the caravan, and when she saw tears in Kali’s eyes she wiped them away with her little fingers, and turning to Stasch, said:
“Kali will go with us!” This she spoke in a decided tone.