My hunters were in a high glee, for they knew that the heart of King Mombo their master would be glad when he saw the big elephant-tusks, and Oshoria said: “I think King Mombo will be able to buy six slaves with the goods he will get for the four tusks, and marry several women also.”
Ngola suggested that possibly Mombo might barter the tusks for guns, so that he could arm his people and be more powerful in case of war.
Then came a pause and all shouted: “We are men, we are men; the great Oguizi is our friend.” They fired their guns and the tomtoms beat louder than ever. The paddling was renewed with more vigor than before. At last King Mombo’s village came in sight. The men sang louder than ever as we neared the place. The tomtoms beat. Regundo and Oshoria stood up and began to gesticulate in the wildest possible manner. My other hunters followed their example and all sang: “We come back with the Oguizi. Great, indeed, is King Mombo,” and repeated the same thing over and over again.
The men paddled with such force that two-thirds of our canoe was out of the water when we landed, the men shouting again as they stepped ashore: “We are men, we are men.”
I landed, holding “Omemba” in my right hand.
King Mombo was on the shore to receive me, beating his kendo and calling on the spirits of his ancestors to come and see the sight. Mombo wore a waistcoat and a coat, but had no shirt or trousers. We embraced each other amid the shouts of his people, who had also come to welcome me back. Many tomtoms were beating violently in the village, and guns were fired to celebrate my return. The people were wild with excitement.
King Mombo led me to the big building where the people were accustomed to meet, and bade me take a seat by his side. We were surrounded by a great crowd. Then Regundo, Oshoria, Ngola, Ogoola, and Quabi came forward with the four elephant-tusks and laid them on the ground at the feet of King Mombo, whose face beamed with pleasure at the sight. “The two big tusks,” said Oshoria, “are from an elephant the Oguizi and I killed. The two others are from another elephant which Ngola, Ogoola, and Quabi killed. Here are the tails, they are not yet quite dried.”
Other slaves followed and laid before the king two boars, an antelope, two gazelles, three monkeys, and a quantity of dried fish. The sight delighted the old king, who was fond of good living, and disliked “gouamba.”
“I can see that you love me, and that you do not forget me, my slaves,” said he, pointing to the pile of food.
Then ensued a great stillness. King Mombo rose and shouted: “Look at me, my people! Look at Mombo, your chief! Look at the Oguizi! Never did an Oguizi visit our forefathers.” To which the people shouted in return: “Great indeed is King Mombo.”