‘A leaping, rattling, boulder, however, soon undeceived and sent them to the right-about.
‘Knowing that another day would probably see the end, they were in no particular hurry now.
‘The sun rose hot and angry-looking. By its better light I made out a whole heap of our traps under the tree, jumbled up anyhow.
‘But, lest I should, by any means, fail to comprehend what had happened, they had recourse once more to dumb show.
‘A nigger came forward and arranged three spears, tripod fashion. To their apex he hung a nullah-nullah. All the weapons were red with blood. Then, pointing alternately to the homestead, myself, and the heap of plunder, he made a long speech, beginning quietly enough, but working himself into such a rage at the finish that his big black beard was speckled with foam.
‘Of course, I didn’t understand a word. There was little need that I should—everything was plain enough.
‘But worse was to come!
‘Seeing that I made no sign, and thinking, perhaps, that I was difficult to convince, the orator went off to the pile of stuff, and, in a minute, returned with some object in a net, which, amidst triumphant yells, he fastened to the trophy already erected.
[159]
]‘For a moment I couldn’t make it out at all. Then, as the sun shone fuller on the thing, I saw that it was Neville’s head.
‘All gashed and disfigured though it was, I recognised it by the long golden beard which the poor old chap had been so proud of.