“It is not for Japazy’s people to know what is in the mind of their chief,” said Abino. “Japazy does as he wills and his words mean life or death.”
“He will speak life for Bomba,” replied the lad, with an assumption of confidence that he was a long way from feeling. “Will Japazy’s fighting men take Bomba to their chief?”
They drew apart and conferred together. It was evident that even this simple request required thought before it could be granted. Bomba could see that, if Japazy resented his coming, his wrath might fall upon those who had brought the unwelcome stranger to his presence instead of killing him on the spot.
There was an animated discussion that at times almost reached the dimensions of a quarrel. But at last they came to a conclusion and Abino turned toward Bomba.
“The stranger shall go to Japazy,” he announced. “But he must have his hands bound so that he may do no harm to Japazy or his people.”
Bomba took a step backward.
“Bomba is free,” he said proudly. “It is not meet that he have his hands bound as though he were a slave. His hands will do no hurt to Japazy or the people of his tribe. Bomba’s heart is good. Has he not said that he came in peace? May the curse of the gods rest on Bomba, if he means harm.”
His earnestness seemed to make an impression, but still the tribesmen hesitated.
“The stranger then must give up his bow and his knife and the fire stick that speaks with the voice of thunder,” suggested Abino, as a compromise.
But Bomba shook his head.