If you bring me to him, I and he will reward you; but if you do Inkulu's bidding you will soon be hunted like buck out of your hills.' They grinned at one another, but I could see that my words had no effect.

Laputa had done his business too well.
The spokesman shrugged his shoulders in the way the Kaffirs have.

'We wish you no ill, Baas, but we have been bidden to take you to Inkulu.
We cannot disobey the command of the Snake.' My weakness was coming on me again, and I could talk no more.

I sat down plump on the ground, almost falling into the pool.

'Take me to Inkulu,' I stammered with a dry throat, 'I do not fear him;' and I rolled half-fainting on my back.
These clansmen of Machudi were decent fellows.