Page:Hugh Pendexter--Tiberius Smith.djvu/56

 the sign language, as he had met several of them on the coast.

"‘Tell 'em,' commanded Tib, stoutly, 'that I have come to take some of them home with me, but that they shall all be returned here in good condition, and that I will give each man who goes with me a whale.'

"Emma drew in a long breath and tried to break into their lingo. I noticed he eschewed the poly-synthetic gab of his own tribe and rippled along with a flow of velvet vowels that sounded like a subway construction gang during the noon hour.

"Then for the first time the tallest step-ladder gave a hearty 'Wow!' and began a rapid fire back. I felt chilly as I saw the sweat stream from Emma's face and heard him give a few mournful hoots, indicative of great sorrow.

"‘Will they come, Em?' asked Tiberius, eagerly.

"‘No come,' groaned Emma. 'Say white men be killed to Black Dog Shaman.'

"‘Kindly 'phone me what that all means,' I begged.

"‘It means, my boy,' explained Tib, sadly, 'that these uncouth gentlemen contemplate offering us up as a tribal sacrifice to their head deity, the Black Dog. I guess they think our demise will propitiate Mr. Dog and stave off another severe winter. Tell 'em, Emma, that the Black Dog does not want the