"Perhaps he was fishing?"
"I don't think so, for he didn't wait for an answer. However, we needn't meet our difficulties half-way. Anyhow, 'twill do Mr. Elbel no harm to know that we don't care a red cent for him or any other Congo man. I suppose he's in charge of this section. But what on earth did the fellow want with the boy?"
Nando, without ceasing to ply his paddle, turned his head and spoke over his shoulder to Samba, now wide awake.
"Samba say him uncle dah, sah: uncle Boloko, plenty bad man."
"A wicked uncle, eh?"
"He berrah angry, sah, 'cos Samba him fader hab got plenty more wives, sah; must be chief some day. Boloko he want to be chief: berrah well: Banonga men all say 'Lako! lako!'[[3]] plenty loud. Boloko berrah much angry: go to white men: tell berrah bad fings 'bout Banonga men. Samba say Banonga men lib for cut off Boloko his head if catch him."
"Wigs on the green, Jack. Then I guess this Boloko fellow wanted to get in first. Well, it doesn't raise my opinion of Mr. Elbel; you know a man by the company he keeps, eh?"
"And the Company by him, uncle."
[[1]] Immediately.
[[2]] Exclamation of surprise.