Page:Harris Dickson--Old Reliable in Africa.djvu/288



URING the long afternoon McDonald's interpreters circulated industriously amongst the blacks, demonstrating all the ins and outs of the catfish system. Fried fish would be sold at one piaster per man—men must plow to get the money, and the news thereof percolated to distant villages. Odok stalked from one group to another, adding his practical endorsement—Odok now being the established authority on fried fish. Zack saw it all and did not approve. "Dat ain't no way to do," he protested to himself; "tellin' dem niggers he needs 'em so bad. He oughter treat 'em like a drove o' mules—not try to drive 'em in a gate, jes' leave de gate onlatched, an' let 'em bust in." Thoroughly disgusted, he straggled over to quarters and sat on the front step, where Mr. Bim casually remarked that, by private arrangement, Odok must have as much fish as he could eat, in consideration of Odok's influence in leading men to the fields. This ominous provision made Old Reliable sit up and take notice, "Mister Bim, ef you undertakes 274