It was this coffee that in the confusion of the moment
Sammy gave to old Babemba. Presently Stephen reappeared, and to cover
his confusion seized the pannikin meant for Babemba and drank it, or
most of it. Then Sammy, seeing his mistake, said:
"Mr. Somers, I regret that there is an error. You are drinking from
the cup which that stinking savage has just licked clean."
The effect was dreadful and instantaneous, for then and there Stephen
was violently sick.
"Why does the white lord do that?" asked Babemba. "Now I see that you
are truly deceiving me, and that what you are giving me to swallow is
nothing but hot /mwavi/, which in the innocent causes vomiting, but
that in those who mean evil, death."
"Stop that foolery, you idiot," I muttered to Stephen, kicking him on
the shins, "or you'll get our throats cut." Then, collecting myself
with an effort, I said:
"Oh! not at all, General. This white lord is the priest of the holy
drink and--what you see is a religious rite."
"Is it so," said Babemba.
Pages:
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231