He displayed a silvered steel concave mirror set in an ornamental copper frame—a tawdry article that finds a ready sale amongst savages. The headman's features broke into a grin of childish anticipation.
"Very well," continued Colonel Narfield. "You can have it if you can take it out of this bowl of water."
So saying, he placed the mirror in water and stood aside. With every sign of eagerness the native plunged his hand into the water, only to withdraw it with a yell of pain and surprise.
"Hau! It is bewitched!" exclaimed the headman. "This is the White Man's Magic."
"What! Are you afraid?" asked the Englishman, mockingly. "Are there no followers of Sibenga who will try?"
After a considerable amount of hesitation a second native plunged his hand into the water. He withdrew his hand quicker than he had inserted it, and began running round in circles, yelling in terror.
"You call yourselves warriors?" cried Colonel Narfield scornfully. "You have hearts like chickens. Will no one else try?"
A third native began very gingerly to touch the surface of the water. Nothing happening, he summoned up courage and dipped his hand until the water was almost up to his wrist, and his finger tips were within two inches of the coveted mirror. Then he, too, gave a yell and abandoned the attempt.
"Now," continued Herbert Narfield, "you see something of the White Man's Magic. Even your greatest witch-doctors are unable to fight it. If any man comes to my kraal with evil intent he will be struck down with the same magic as three of you have felt .... Colin, you've that swastika on you, haven't you?" he added. "Bring it out and touch the water with it."
Sinclair did so. At the sight of the amulet the superstitious delegates were visibly impressed. Still more so were they when Colin unconcernedly drew the looking glass from the bowl of water and immediately replaced it.