He came on them sitting smoking under the great rock near the waterfront that had been inset with a bronze medallion of Bismarck, and startled them almost into committing an assault on him, by saying that he wanted our secret code at once.
They had been trying to get tobacco to Brown, and sweetmeats to Kazimoto, had failed in both efforts and were short-tempered.

He explained after they had insulted him sufficiently, and they walked down to the camp one on either hand, apologizing all the way.

I imagine they had criticized missions of all denominations pretty thoroughly.
In the end he decided not to read the letter at all.
"I have reached the conclusion you three men are gentlemen," he said, "and would not take advantage of me.

I will take your letter to Ujiji, and send it to the south end of Lake Tanganika, to be put in the British mail bag for Mombasa by way of Durban.

It will take a long time to reach its destination--perhaps two months; but I will have it registered, and it will undoubtedly get there." That he kept his word and better we had ample proof later on, but I did not bless him particularly fervidly at the time, for he went straight to the doctor and repeated my complaints.