Page:Harris Dickson--Old Reliable in Africa.djvu/167

 too far. Those spears were long, and a skinny-armed wild man might perforate him.

"Say," he said. "You folks listen! I got to hurry up wid Cunnel to de big house an' git some breakfas'. Us is got plenty business. Den I'll come back to see you-all atter-while. Jes tell 'em dat." Kali bowed low and translated to the sheikh. Old Tabira listened reverently to those words from the Great Teacher.

First he dropped his head in obedience, then stretched forth a hand towards Fergus Cameron and said, "Allah hath given unto thee strong friends. I remain here." Then his tribe began to pitch their tents beneath the shade of the acacias.

Colonel Spottiswoode was very angry. "Zack—you infernal fool! What do you mean, bringing this herd of crazy men over here?"

"Now, Cunnel, please, suh, don't specify so rough. I ain't had nothin' to do wid 'em. Us jes met up wid one another in de big road; I couldn't make 'em go back. Dat's one hard-headed ole nigger—dat one-eyed feller."

Cameron spurred over, with as much of a smile as a Scotchman's face can ever wear, and broke into the conversation. "Tabira insists that his people want to become permanent tenants. Your man has agreed to teach them how to plant cotton."