An analysis of Hans's religious views would be really interesting, and I only regret that I never made one.

But sticking to business I merely asked: "What sign ?" "Baas, this sign: That web is the Motombo's cave.

The big spider is the Motombo.

The white moth is us, Baas, who are caught in the web and going to be eaten." "Very pretty, Hans," I said, "but what is the fish that came up and swallowed the spider so that the moth fell on the wood and floated away ?" "Baas, _you_ are the fish, who come up softly, softly out of the water in the dark, and shoot the Motombo with the little rifle, and then the rest of us, who are the moth, fall into the canoe and float away.

There is a storm about to break, Baas, and who will see you swim the stream in the storm and the night ?" "The crocodiles," I suggested.
"Baas, I didn't see a crocodile eat the fish.