"What is he saying, Sammy?" I asked.
He began to talk to Hassan and replied presently:
"Sir, he makes you many compliments. He says that he has heard what a
great man who are from his friend, Delgado, also that you and Mr.
Somers are English, a nation which he adores."
"Does he?" I exclaimed. "I should never have thought it from his
looks. Thank him for his kind remarks and tell him that we are going
to land here and march up country to shoot."
Sammy obeyed, and the conversation went on somewhat as follows:
"With all humility I (i.e. Hassan) request you not to land. This
country is not a fit place for such noble gentlemen. There is nothing
to eat and no head of game has been seen for years. The people in the
interior are savages of the worst sort, whom hunger has driven to take
to cannibalism. I would not have your blood upon my head. I beg of
you, therefore, to go on in this ship to Delagoa Bay, where you will
find a good hotel, or to any other place you may select."
A.Q.: "Might I ask you, noble sir, what is your position at Kilwa,
that you consider yourself responsible for our safety?"
H.
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