Page:Harris Dickson--Old Reliable in Africa.djvu/166

 "Kali," ordered Cameron, "stop them! See what they want."

Kali urged his camel forward. Tabira shook his head and at first refused to be halted. His thin lips uncovered a row of jagged yellow teeth, his solitary eye changed into all the hues of blues and blacks, like a pot of boiling pitch. Kali had great trouble in persuading the sheikh to wait until his message should be communicated. Lyttleton and Cameron advanced and met the returning Kali, who told them excitedly, "Sheikh Tabira says the Inglesi must not take from him the Great Teacher. The Expected One is the guest of Sheikh Tabira, and must lie in his tent."

"Kali, what does the sheikh mean? Who is this Great Teacher?"

Kali, with a new deference in his voice and manner, indicated Old Reliable standing at the Colonel's saddlebow.

Cameron knew better than to laugh. "He's no teacher. He's Colonel Spottiswoode's servant."

"Servant?" Kali repeated, and shook his head stubbornly. They argued, but to no purpose. Cameron turned and called: "Colonel Spottiswoode, have your man step out and speak to those people. Tell them he will visit their camp this noon. Speak loudly. Kali will translate."

Zack walked forward gingerly a few steps—not