Negoro, who kept close at Alvez' side, did not fail to render his homage along with the rest. Alvez and the king were carrying on a conversation in the native language, if that could be called a conversation in which Moené Loonga merely jerked out a few monosyllables from his inflamed and swollen lips. He was asking Alvez to replenish his stock of brandy.
"We are proud to welcome your majesty at the market of Kazonndé," Alvez was saying.
"Get me brandy," was all the drunken king's reply.
"Will it please your majesty to take part in the business of the lakoni?" Alvez tried to ask.
"Drink!" blurted out the king impatiently.
Alvez continued,-
"My friend Negoro here is anxious to greet your majesty after his long absence."
"Drink!" roared the monarch again.
"Will the king take pombé or mead?" asked Alvez, at last obliged to take notice of the demand.
"Brandy! give me fire-water!" yelled the king, in a fury. "For every drop you shall have ..."