About an hour later supper had been eaten and the travelers were preparing to bunk for the night, when they saw a larger party of blacks approaching.
Among them were the warriors who had addressed them. The blacks came[Pg 9] close up to the camp and this conversation followed, the speeches being translated of course, by an interpreter.
“You have sent for the elders of the Massais,” began the chief black man, “and we are here.”
“You are mistaken,” Trim responded. “We didn’t send for the elders, but that is no matter. We are glad to see you. You are welcome.”
“Who are you and why are you here?” asked the black.
“We are travelers, as you see. We are at peace with the Massais and simply intend to cross their territory.”
“We think you don’t mean peace.”
“But we do mean peace! We have no wish to trouble the Massais and we are willing to make gifts to the elders to show our good will.”
As in the previous case Trim and Dobbin opened the box and took out a quantity of trinkets.
They approached the savages with these.