If it had been a good Snake, it would have told him to keep clear of Beza Town, so I will swallow one of these pills and give the other to the Baas Stephen," and he crammed the filthy mess into his mouth and with an effort got it down, as a young turkey does a ball of meal that is too big for its throat.
Then, as I heard Stephen calling me, I left him invoking a most comprehensive and polyglot curse upon the head of Imbozwi, to whom he rightly attributed all our woes.
"Our friend here says it is time to start," said Stephen, rather shakily, for the situation seemed to have got a hold of him at last, and nodding towards old Babemba, who stood there with a cheerful smile looking as though he were going to conduct us to a wedding.
"Yes, white lord," said Babemba, "it is time, and I have hurried so as not to keep you waiting.

It will be a very fine show, for the 'Black Elephant' himself is going to do you the honour to be present, as will all the people of Beza Town and those for many miles round." "Hold your tongue, you old idiot," I said, "and stop your grinning.

If you had been a man and not a false friend you would have got us out of this trouble, knowing as you do very well that we are no sellers of men, but rather the enemy of those who do such things." "Oh! white lord," said Babemba, in a changed voice, "believe me I only smile to make you happy up to the end.

My lips smile, but I am crying inside.

I know that you are good and have told Bausi so, but he will not believe me, who thinks that I have been bribed by you.