At any rate, about thirty seconds later the top-knot was
burning like a beautiful torch.
"/Ow!/" said the Kaffirs who were watching. "My Aunt!" exclaimed
Stephen. "Look, look!" shouted Babemba in tones of delight. "Now will
you believe, O blown-out bladder of a man, that there are greater
magicians than yourself in the world?"
"What is the matter, son of a dog, that you make a mock of me?"
screeched the unfuriated Imbozwi, who alone was unaware of anything
unusual.
As he spoke some suspicion rose in his mind which caused him to put
his hand to his top-knot, and withdraw it with a howl. Then he sprang
up and began to dance about, which of course only fanned the fire that
had now got hold of the grease and gum. The Zulus applauded; Babemba
clapped his hands; Stephen burst into one of his idiotic fits of
laughter. For my part I grew frightened. Near at hand stood a large
wooden pot such as the Kaffirs make, from which the coffee kettle had
been filled, that fortunately was still half-full of water. I seized
it and ran to him.
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