When the Germans know the British Government in London has this book under lock and key, they will think it a little thing to release your relations for the sake of avoiding trouble!" "Promise me, bwana! You promise me!" "I promise I will do my best for you." "Word of an Englishman--promise!" "Word Of an Englishman--I promise to do my best!" That was a proud enough moment on the shoulder of a mountain, with wilderness in every direction farther than the highest eagle in the air above could see, to have that helpless, hopeless ex-slave, part Arab, part machenzie, put his whole stock-in-trade--his secret--all he had on earth to bargain with for those he loved--in the balance on the promise of an Englishman.

It was a tribute to a race that has had its share, no doubt, of bad men, but has won dominion over half the earth and pretty much all the sea by keeping faith with men who could not by any means compel good faith.
"Then I tell!" said Hassan.

"Then I show!" But now a new fear seized him, and he clung to Monty, trembling and jabbering.
"The men who eat men! The men who eat men!" "Pah! Cannibals!" sneered Fred.

"They're always cowards!" "Tippoo Tib, he afraid of nothing--nobody! He is hiding the ivory where men who eat men can guard it and none dare come!" "Lead on, McDuff!" Fred grinned, shouldering his rifle.
All of us except Monty had beards by that time that fluttered in the wind, and looked desperate enough for any venture.

Considering the rifles and our uncouth appearance, Hassan took heart of grace.