Also, is he sure that all this story of hers is
true? Lord, have I not said that I am your slave?
Within, forthe most part arranged against the
fence, was the ivory. Unaided I am not able to save Kaneke, as by myspirit I have
sworn that I would. It is easy to prophesy when one knows, Baas.
This I did because Iwas afraid lest they should be
corrupted and the goods stolen. Moreover, I never tried to stop the
Baas.
Of hisjudges he took no notice at all, or, for the
matter of that, of thepeople either.
Then he answered in anunconcerned fashion:I dare
say, Baas, if one knows how. Get out of our town at once,lest you share his fate.
Kaneke knewall this as well as I do and that is why he talked about apestilence. Let
myfate be, fellow, and have a care for your own, which perhaps isnearer than you
think.
Yet according to the law it is not lawfulthat you
should be despatched at once. You are right when you say that I am
amagician.
Therefore I would pray you to save him if you
can.
Next morning Hans brought me my coffee as usual and
said in acasual fashion:Baas, there is trouble. Certainly itwas impossible to allow
her to immolate herself in this fashionbefore my eyes. I exclaimed, more, I think,
tomyself than to her. The Baas will not send me away to the coast with the ivory as
hethreatened to do, will he?
Yes, Lord, already I have read that in your face,
she replied,smiling faintly. For a little while there was silence between
us.
Also have you thought,Baas, that probably this
ivory will never get to the coast at all?
I asked curiously, for I noticed that sheleft
herself out of the plan.
Well, the string of porters, headed by Arabs
mounted upon donkeys,departed and were no more seen.
I asked of Hans, who had beenpresent with me, when
we were in our camp again.
As we went Hans murmured his reflections into my
ear.
Did he notice nothingamong the people of that
caravan which took away the ivory?
You are mistaken, Lord, she answered, with her
strange littlelaugh.
HereI should explain that my following was limited.
For a moment I caught sight of a look of astonishment upon Hanswrinkled and
impassive countenance. For a little while there was silence between us.
Kaneke was seized while he was asleeplast
night.
I asked of Hans, who had beenpresent with me, when
we were in our camp again. Most heartily did I wish that I had never touched the
business.
Yes, Baas, small-pox, for I have seen it before.