You shall have our answer
at dawn.'
'Very well, white man,' answered the savage indifferently; 'only
remember if thy answer is late thy little white bud will never
grow into a flower, that is all, for I shall cut it with this,'
and he touched the spear. 'I should have thought that thou wouldst
play a trick and attack us at night, but I know from the woman
with the girl that your men are down at the coast, and that thou
hast but twenty men here. It is not wise, white man,' he added
with a laugh, 'to keep so small a garrison for your "boma" [kraal].
Well, good night, and good night to you also, other white men,
whose eyelids I shall soon close once and for all. At dawn thou
wilt bring me word. If not, remember it shall be as I have said.'
Then turning to Umslopogaas, who had all the while been standing
behind him and shepherding him as it were, 'Open the door for
me, fellow, quick now.'
This was too much for the old chief's patience. For the last
ten minutes his lips had been, figuratively speaking, positively
watering over the Masai Lygonani, and this he could not stand.
Placing his long hand on the Elmoran's shoulder he gripped it
and gave him such a twist as brought him face to face with himself.
Then, thrusting his fierce countenance to within a few inches
of the Masai's evil feather-framed features, he said in a low
growling voice: --
'Seest thou me?'
'Ay, fellow, I see thee.
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