In the meanwhile I prepared to call on him.

I observed, in fact, that I was an object of jealousy between the two courts, and that, if I acted skilfully and decidedly, I might become master of the situation, and secure my darling object of a passage northwards.

The boys returned, bringing a pistol to be cleaned, and a message to say it was no use my thinking of calling on the king--that I must go to the queen immediately, for she was very ill.

So far the queen won the day, but I did not obtain my new residence, which I considered the first step to accomplishing the greater object; I therefore put the iron farther in the fire by saying I was no man's slave, and I should not go until I got a house in the palace--Bombay could teach the boys the way to clean the pistol.

The perk monkeys, however, turned up their noses at such menial service, and Uledi was instructed in their stead.
10th .-- To surprise the queen, and try another dodge, I called on her with all my dining things and bedding, to make a day of it, and sleep the night.