Then the king’s men went to fetch the things I had in my canoe. Among them were presents for the king.
A house was given to me not far from the one where King Mombo slept. It was divided into two rooms, and there were two beds in one of the rooms. These beds were simply flat surfaces made of the bark of trees, upon which were several pretty mats made by the king’s wives. In the evening I went to see King Mombo, and said to him: “To-morrow morning I will make your heart glad, for I have some presents for you.”
“When he saw these presents his face beamed with joy”
“Not in the morning,” he replied, “for I do not want my people to see what you are going to give me, for there is much witchcraft in our land, and many are killed by it. Often relatives bewitch those from whom they expect to inherit, and cause their death. Oh,” he added, with fierceness in his eyes, “when we find wizards and witches we put them to death.” After a pause, he resumed: “Kokolo, Kokolo,” (which meant “Please”) “do not tell any one that you gave me presents.” Then he took hold of my right foot to add force to his request. Slaves do that to their masters when imploring for their lives, or asking not to be sold. I promised him not to tell, and he gave a great sigh of relief at my words. And as he left me he whispered in my ear, “Wait until it is dark, very dark, to-morrow before you send for me to give me my presents.”
“It will be very dark when I send for you, King Mombo,” I replied, and at my words he shook my hand gratefully.
In the middle of the night when everybody was asleep I saw in the dark two people entering my hut, and heard in a whisper: “It is I, King Mombo, and my faithful slave Rabolo. I come to get my presents.”
I lighted a torch. It was Mombo. He had not had the patience to wait longer. His face and body were painted in different colors, and he was covered with charms to protect him against witchcraft. I set at his feet two brass kettles, a gun, a big bunch of white beads, three files, two discs of steel with flint for making fire, a red woollen cap, and two looking-glasses. When he saw these presents his face beamed with joy, and after thanking me profusely he and his slave Rabolo left, carrying with them the precious gifts. The king implored me again to tell no one of the things I had given him.
CHAPTER VII
SUPERSTITIONS OF KING MOMBO—VISITS TO THE HOUSE OF HIS IDOLS AND HIS ANCESTORS—A STRANGE MEAL FOLLOWED BY A STRANGE DANCE.