The half-civilized blacks employed by Trim were nervous at this spectacle, but the lad ordered them to go about preparations for breakfast just as if nothing had happened.
Breakfast was eaten in the camp, not one of the white men there appearing to pay the least attention to the Massai warriors.
After breakfast Trim stretched himself upon the ground and waited for what might happen next.
Presently three blacks approached from the direction of the army; Trim recognized them as the elders with whom he had talked the evening before.
He arose promptly, stepped forward to meet the elders, bowing and making broad gestures with his arms to indicate his respect; then he held out his hand for the chief elder to shake.
The elder took the hand solemnly, grasped it, muttered a few words, then let it go.
“Tell him,” said Trim to the interpreter, “that the white traveler is anxious to go on, and that he is waiting because he wishes to do so without giving the Massais unnecessary trouble.”
The interpreter spoke as directed, and the elder after listening gravely replied:
“He says,” translated the interpreter, “that he admires the white traveler and does not wish him to come to harm; he thinks, therefore, that the white traveler had better face to the rising sun and so escape.
“He assures you that if you do so no one of his warriors will be permitted to touch you.”