“We will not part with them. They must work for us and make our machine go.”
“If it is magic, it does not need slaves to make it go,” observed the king, with a smile.
“Would you deprive your brother kings of their only followers?”
“I will give you as many negroes as you require, in place of them.”
“We cannot spare them. These white dogs know our ways, and serve us well.”
“Then I will take but one, and leave you the other.”
Bry shook his head.
“Whatever else we possess, except our wonderful travelling machine, we will freely give to our brother,” said he. “But even Nalig-Nad has no right to demand our slaves, and we shall keep them.”
The king seemed disappointed. After a moment’s pause,