That is all the story which I pray that you will tell
to the Baas's reverend father, the Predikant, presently, for I am sure
that it will please him to learn that he did not teach me to be wise
and help all men and always to look after the Baas Allan, to no
purpose. Still, I am sorry that I wasted so many matches, for where
shall we get any more now that the camp is burnt?" and he gazed
ruefully at the all but empty box.
Mavovo spoke once more in a slow, gasping voice.
"Never again," he said, addressing Hans, "shall you be called Spotted
Snake, O little yellow man who are so great and white of heart.
Behold! I give you a new name, by which you shall be known with honour
from generation to generation. It is 'Light in Darkness.' It is 'Lord
of the Fire.'"
Then he closed his eyes and fell back insensible. Within a few minutes
he was dead. But those high names with which he christened Hans with
his dying breath, clung to the old Hottentot for all his days. Indeed
from that day forward no native would ever have ventured to call him
by any other.
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