CHAPTER XV.
ZIFFAK.
Fred Ashman was so startled by hearing the giant native utter his submission in unmistakable English, that he came near dropping his leveled Winchester to the earth in sheer amazement.
He had not dreamed that the savage understood a word of that tongue, but judged from his own posture, with his weapon pointed at him, that the other knew when an enemy had "the drop" on him.

Even if such were the fact, he counted upon a desperate resistance, and was prepared to give the fellow his quietus by a shot from his rifle.
The savage held his ponderous javelin in his hand, but made no effort to use it.

His black eyes were fixed on the face of the handsome American, and he could not have failed to note the expression of bewilderment and wonder caused by the words that had just dropped from his dusky lips.

Indeed, Ashman fancied he detected something akin to a smile lighting up the forbidding countenance.
It may be said that the young explorer for the moment felt himself in the position of the man who drew an elephant in a lottery--he didn't know what to do with his prize.

It had come to him so unexpectedly that he was bewildered.
But he was quick to rally from his dazed condition.