Zikali, who was watching me, although all the while he seemed to be staring at the setting sun, made a sign.
One of the servants dashed away and immediately returned, bearing a flaming brand which he proffered to me as a pipe-lighter.

Then he departed again to bring three carved stools of red wood which he placed for us.

I looked at mine and knew it again by the carvings.

It was the same on which I had sat when first I met Zikali.

At length he spoke in his deep, slow voice.
"Many years have gone by, Macumazahn, since you made use of that stool.