His boldness served him a good turn, for if he had made a hostile movement the savages undoubtedly would have fallen upon him at once and made an end of him.
As it was three or four of them armed[Pg 17] with spears strolled out from the circle around the fire and confronted him.
Trim halted at once and remarked quietly:
“I wish to speak with the king.”
The warriors looked at him in astonishment. One of them turned about and said something to the king, who motioned with his hand toward the group at the fire.
At this signal another man left the group, came forward and addressed Trim in broken English.
“What you want?” he asked.
“I am a traveler,” Trim replied, “and I came to your village because I saw the light of the fire. I should like to buy food and pay my respects to the mighty king of the Bangwas.”
The interpreter translated this speech to the king, who thought a moment, made a reply, and walked into his hut.
“His majesty,” said the interpreter, “wishes you to come in.”