He went aft to recover his nerve, and returned to become an unseen
spectator to a purely domestic scene, for Bones had immersed the
squalling infant in his own india-rubber bath, and was gingerly cleaning
him with a mop.

CHAPTER XI

BONES AT M'FA

Hamilton of the Houssas coming down to headquarters met Bosambo by
appointment at the junction of the rivers.

"O Bosambo," said Hamilton, "I have sent for you to make a _likambo_
because of certain things which my other eyes have seen and my other
ears have heard."

To some men this hint of report from the spies of Government might bring
dismay and apprehension, but to Bosambo, whose conscience was clear,
they awakened only curiosity.

"Lord, I am your eyes in the Ochori," he said with truth, "and God knows
I report faithfully."

Hamilton nodded. He was yellow with fever, and the hand that filled the
briar pipe shook with ague. All this Bosambo saw.

"It is not of you I speak, nor of your people, but of the Akasava and
the N'gombi and the evil little men who live in the forest--now is it
true that they speak mockingly of my lord Tibbetti?"

Bosambo hesitated.

"Lord," said he, "what dogs are they, that they should speak of the
mighty? Yet I will not lie to you, M'ilitani: they mock Tibbetti,
because he is young and his heart is pure."

Hamilton nodded again, and stuck out his jaw in troubled meditation.

"I am a sick man," he said, "and I must rest, sending Tibbetti to watch
the river, because the crops are good and there is fish for all men, and
because the people are prosperous, for, Bosambo, in such times there is
much boastfulness, and the tribes are ripe for foolish deeds deserving
to appear wonderful in the eyes of woman."

"All this I know, M'ilitani," said Bosambo, "and because you are sick,
my heart and my stomach are sore. For though I do not love you as I love
Sandi, who is more clever than you, yet I love you well enough to
grieve. And Tibbetti also----"

He paused.

"He is young," said Hamilton, "and not yet grown to himself--now you,
Bosambo, shall check men who are insolent to his face, and be to him as
a strong right hand."

"On my head and my life," said Bosambo, "yet, lord M'ilitani, I think
that his day will find him, for it is written in the Sura of the Djin
that all men are born three times, and the day will come when Bonzi will
be born again."

He was in his canoe before Hamilton realized what he had said.

"Tell me, B