So I dismissed Quengueza's people, and, after Quengueza and I had entered the hut, he closed the door himself, to make sure, and peeped through the crevices to see that nobody was trying to look in. Then he seated himself and awaited developments.
I opened a chest filled with presents for him. The first thing I displayed before his wide-open eyes was a huge long coat, similar to those worn by the London beadles. This coat had been made specially for his majesty, and to fit his tall figure, for Quengueza was over six feet high. It was of the most glaring colors—blue, with yellow fringe, and lined with red. There was also a splendid plush waistcoat, with big brass buttons. His coat fell to his feet. I gave him no pantaloons, for Quengueza never liked to wear them.
After Quengueza's admiring eyes had looked with amazement on his splendid coat and bright yellow waistcoat, he must try them on; but, before doing so, he went again to see that no one was peeping in. I wondered why his majesty, who was a perfect despot, was so much afraid.
Having put on his robe or morning-gown, I gave him an enormous drum-major's cane, with a tremendous gilded head, to be used as a staff.[2] He stiffened himself at the sight, and asked for a looking-glass, in which he regarded himself with an air of supreme satisfaction. Then I took out of my trunk my opera hat, which of course was flat when shut up, and gave it a slight punch, when the springs immediately threw it out into the shape of a splendid stove-pipe hat, to the utter astonishment and bewilderment of King Quengueza. Then I put the hat on his head, and his majesty walked to and fro, drawing himself to his full height. After some minutes he took off his imperial costume, putting the clothes back in the chest where they came from, and proceeded to inspect the other presents, among which were
- 6 pieces of silk, of different colors.
- 100 pieces of calico prints.
- 6 silver spoons, knives, and forks.
- 1 silver goblet.
- 1 magnificent red, blue, and yellow silk umbrella.
- Among the larger articles were
- 1 common brass kettle.
- 100 iron bars, 6 feet long, 1-3/4 wide.
- 50 large copper plates 24 inches in diameter.
- 50 small brass kettles.
- 50 iron pots.
- 50 guns.
- 50 kegs of powder.
- 25 wash-basins.
- 12 dozen plates.
- 6 dozen glasses.
- 300 pounds of beads, of different colors and sizes.
- 50 pine chests.
- 200 pairs of ear-rings for his wives.
- Several chests containing trinkets, mirrors, files, forks, knives, etc.
- A chest filled with nice presents sent to him by some of my friends.
The chests were his delight, for the wealth of a king here is composed chiefly of chests, which, of course, are supposed to be filled with goods.
King Quengueza never thought that his friend Chally would have remembered him so profitably.
After showing him all these things, I made him a speech, and said, in a low tone, "Quengueza, Chally has a heart (ore'ma); he has a heart that loves you. When he left you the last time he was poor, and had nothing to give you, but you loved him the same as if he had possessed a thousand chests filled with goods. Now he is rich, and has just come back from the white man's country, and he brings you all these fine presents, for Chally loves you;" and when I said "loves you" I looked at him steadily in the face. The sight of all this wealth had almost dumbfounded the old man, and for a while he could not speak. Finally he said,
"Do you love me, Chally? If you do, do not tell the people what you have given me, or they will bewitch me to have my property."
The fear of witchcraft was a great defect in the character of poor Quengueza. He was always in dread of being bewitched, and consequently of dying.