I
Did Not See You The First Day, Because You Being A Stranger, It
Was Necessary I Should First Look
Into the magic horn to see if
all was right and safe; and now I can assure you that, whilst
I
saw I was safe, I also saw that your road would be prosperous. I
am indeed delighted to see you, for neither my father, nor any of
my forefathers, ever were honoured with the company of a white
man in all their lives."
My guns, clothes, and everything were then inspected, and begged
for in the most importunate manner. He asked for the picture-
books, examined the birds with intense delight - even trying to
insert under their feathers his long royal fingernails, which are
grown like a Chinaman's by these chiefs, to show they have a
privilege to live on meat. Then turning to the animals, he
roared over each one in turn as he examined them, and called out
their names. My bull's-eye lantern he coveted so much, I had to
pretend exceeding anger to stop his further importunities. He
then began again begging for lucifers, which charmed him so
intensely I thought I should never get rid of him. He would have
one box of them. I swore I could not part with them. He
continued to beg, and I to resist. I offered a knife instead,
but this he would not have, because the lucifers would be so
valuable for his magical observances. On went the storm, till at
last I drove him off with a pair of my slippers, which he had
stuck his dirty feet into without my leave.
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