They conversed with each other for a moment and then slowly departed.
“That was a good bluff!” remarked Trim, with a long breath.
“I don’t half understand it, lad,” said Dobbin, seriously.
“The point is,” explained Trim, “that these tribes are governed by men whom they call elders, and as I understand them, the warriors have no right to act without the advice of the elders.
“If the elders should make up their minds that we ought to be slaughtered our case would be hopeless, but it’s my opinion that when they threaten the only way to meet them is by keeping up a bold front and giving them threats in return.
“As long as the stock of glass beads holds out I am willing to buy peace from all the tribes of Africa, but that must be done through the elders and not through the warriors.”
“I suppose ye are right, lad. In fact I have no doubt of it, but if it was to come to a fight with those chaps——”
“You and I could do up that little party single-handed!” interrupted Trim; “but if it came to two or three thousand of them where would we be then?”
Dobbin threw up his hands in despair.
“I hope they don’t come back!” he said.