He had fulfilled his duty and paid properly.

The tyranny of a chief over a subject was none of his business.
Both masters, white and black, were fairly contented with themselves.

Van Horn had paid the money where it was due; Nau-hau, by virtue of kingship, had robbed Sati's father of Sati's labour before Van Horn's eyes.

But Nau-hau was not above strutting.

He declined a proffered present of tobacco, bought a case of stick tobacco from Van Horn, paying him five pounds for it, and insisted on having it sawed open so that he could fill his pipe.
"Plenty good boy stop along Langa-Langa ?" Van Horn, unperturbed, politely queried, in order to make conversation and advertise nonchalance.
The King o' Babylon grinned, but did not deign to reply.
"Maybe I go ashore and walk about ?" Van Horn challenged with tentative emphasis.
"Maybe too much trouble along you," Nau-hau challenged back.