“You intend to tell the English people about it,” remarked the king.
Trim saw that the king was very much disturbed and he understood the reason.
The English who control that part of Africa try to make the savages live according to civilized laws. The king believed that if a description of this execution should be given to the English there would be trouble for him and his tribe.
Trim was thinking fast in order to find out what to say that should cause the king to be less suspicious, when a warrior hastily entered the hut, knelt before the king and spoke rapidly.
The king was evidently greatly interested.
He glanced at Trim with more curiosity than ever, and at length said, through the interpreter:
“I know now why you are here. You’re going to make war on the Narugas.”
“I don’t intend to harm any black man or any black tribe,” responded Trim.
“It doesn’t matter,” retorted the king, “you are an enemy to the Narugas.”
He then gave a command which was not translated, but Trim understood it well enough when two warriors entered the hut, took him by the shoulders and ran him rapidly out to the fire.