Sammy, I may add, did not see the joke any more than Hans had done,
but the rest of us appreciated the Mazitu sense of humour very much.
"It is very well, Mr. Quatermain," he said, "for these black babes and
sucklings to sit in the seat of the scornful. On such an occasion
silent prayers would have been of little use, but I am certain that my
loud crying to Heaven delivered you all from the bites of the heathen
arrows."
"O Dogeetah and white lords," said Babemba, "the king invites your
presence that he may ask your forgiveness for what has happened, and
this time there will be no need for you to bring arms, since
henceforward no hurt can come to you from the Mazitu people."
So presently we set out once more, taking with us the gifts that had
been refused. Our march to the royal quarters was a veritable
triumphal progress. The people prostrated themselves and clapped their
hands slowly in salutation as we passed, while the girls and children
pelted us with flowers as though we were brides going to be married.
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