"My father Macumazana is a brave man. If he lives he will have done
his duty. If he dies he will have done his duty still better, and, on
the earth or in the under-world among the spirits of our fathers, his
name shall be great for ever; yes, his name shall be a song."
When Brother John had translated these words, which I thought fine,
there was silence.
"Now," I said, "come with me to the water's edge, all of you. You will
be in less danger from the lightning there, where are no tall trees.
And while I am gone, do you ladies dress up Hans in that gorilla-skin
as best you can, lacing it on to him with some of that palm-fibre
string which we brought with us, and filling out the hollows and the
head with leaves or reeds. I want him to be ready when I come back
with the canoe.
Hans groaned audibly, but made no objection and we started with our
impedimenta down to the edge of the estuary where we hid behind a
clump of mangrove bushes and tall, feathery reeds. Then I took off
some of my clothes, stripping in fact to my flannel shirt and the
cotton pants I wore, both of which were grey in colour and therefore
almost invisible at night.
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