"Look here,"he said;"I suppose you know your business.You don't want me to tell you that a decent excuse for having a row with this old Johnny is about the best thing that could happen to you.He's a bit too near the borders of civilisation to be a decent savage.
Sooner or later some one will have to take him under their protection.
If you don't do it,the French will.They're hanging round now looking out for an opportunity.Listen!
Both men moved instinctively towards the open part of the hut and looked across towards the village.Up from the little open space in front of the King's dwelling-house leaped a hissing bright flame;they had kindled a fire,and black forms of men,stark naked and wounding themselves with spears,danced around it and made the air hideous with discordant cries.The King himself,too drunk to stand,squatted upon the ground with an empty bottle by his side.A breath of wind brought a strong,noxious odour to the two men who stood watching.Captain Francis puffed hard at his cigarette.
"Ugh!"he muttered;"beastly!"
"You may take my word for it,"Trent said gruffly,"that if your two hundred soldiers weren't camped in the bush yonder,you and I and poor Monty would be making sport for them to-night.Now come.Do you think a quarrel with that crew is a serious thing to risk?""In the interests of civilisation,"Captain Francis answered,with a smile,"I think not.""I don't care how you put it,"Trent answered shortly."You soldiers all prate of the interests of civilisation.Of course it's all rot.
You want the land -you want to rule,to plant a flag,and be called a patriot."Captain Francis laughed."And you,my superior friend,"he said,glancing at Trent,gaunt,ragged,not too clean,and back at Monty -"you want gold -honestly if you can get it,if not -well,it is not too wise to ask.Your partnership is a little mysterious,isn't it -with a man like that?Out of your magnificent morality I trust that he may get his share."Trent flushed a brick -red.An angry answer trembled upon his lips,but Oom Sam,white and with his little fat body quivering with fear,came hurrying up to them in the broad track of the moonlight.
"King he angry,"he called out to them breathlessly."Him mad drunk angry.He say white men all go away,or he fire bush and use the poisoned arrow.Me off!Got bearers waiting.""If you go before we've finished,"Trent said,"I'll not pay you a penny.Please yourself."The little fat man trembled -partly with rage,partly with fear.
"You stay any longer,"he said,"and King him send after you and kill on way home.White English soldiers go Buckomari with you?"Trent shook his head.
"Going the other way,"he said,"down to Wana Hill."Oom Sam shook his head vigorously.
"Now you mind,"he said;"I tell you,King send after you.Him blind mad."Oom Sam scuttled away.Captain Francis looked thoughtful."That little fat chap may be right,"he remarked."If I were you I'd get out of this sharp.You see,I'm going the other way.I can't help you."Trent set his teeth.
"I've spent a good few years trying to put a bit together,and this is the first chance I've had,"he said;"I'm going to have you back me as a British subject on that concession.We'll go down into the village now if you're ready.""I'll get an escort,"Francis said."Best to impress 'em a bit,Ithink.Half a minute."He stepped back into the hut and looked steadfastly at the man who was still lying doubled up upon the floor.Was it his fancy,or had those eyes closed swiftly at his turning -was it by accident,too,that Monty,with a little groan,changed his position at that moment,so that his face was in the shadow?Captain Francis was puzzled.
"It's like him,"he said to himself softly;"but after all the thing's too improbable!"He turned away with a shade upon his face and followed Trent out into the moonlight.The screeching from the village below grew louder and more hideous every minute.
