Still, if there are any of our
councillors willing to visit your Motombo and your Kalubi and hear
what they have to propose, taking the risk of whatever may happen to
them there, I do not forbid it. Now, O my Councillors, speak, not
altogether, but one by one, and be swift, since to the first that
speaks shall be given this honour."
I think I never heard a denser silence than that which followed this
invitation. Each of the /indunas/ looked at his neighbour, but not one
of them uttered a single word.
"What!" exclaimed Bausi, in affected surprise. "Do none speak? Well,
well, you are lawyers and men of peace. What says the great general,
Babemba?"
"I say, O King, that I went once to Pongo-land when I was young, taken
by the hair of my head, to leave an eye there and that I do not wish
to visit it again walking on the soles of my feet."
"It seems, O Komba, that since none of my people are willing to act as
envoys, if there is to be talk of peace between us, the Motombo and
the Kalubi must come here under safe conduct.
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