“I reckon,” remarked Trim to Dobbin, “that the scheme is working pretty well; these fellows are like children after all.
“The leader is bound to have the best of it, and the others are more likely to quarrel with him than with us.”
Presently the elder put on a very solemn expression, marched up to Trim and held out his hand.
Trim took and shook it gravely.
“He says he likes you better than before,” said the interpreter.
“Tell him,” responded Trim, “that the white traveler considers that he is the greatest man in this country, and that if he will wait a minute the white traveler will present him with the most important offering of respect that he possesses.”
The interpreter translated and the elder’s eyes fairly burned with excited curiosity.
“Ee’ve got him all right when he shakes hands with ee, haven’t ee, lad?” asked Dobbin.
“Shaking hands is not enough for these people,” Trim replied, “if they were whites a handshake might be a sign of faithful friendship; as it is, I’ve got to wait for a stronger expression from them.”