hey were all assembled, the leader Khamis said to them:

"My friends, we are at last in Urori, where I suspect we shall have to
conduct ourselves differently from what we have been accustomed to. I
mean that I fear that tribute may be exacted by the King, and I have
called you here to advise prudence, and to ask you to use tact in all
your dealings with them. We may have to pay a heavy tribute, for this
King is evidently powerful and rich, and a mean present of cloth I
expect he will refuse."

"Khamis," said Sultan bin Ali, "thou hast done well to advise us upon
this beforehand. What amount of cloth dost thou think will suffice this
man's greed? We may be liberal, for we can afford it, but we have not
one doti (four yards) of cloth too much."

The chief answered, "I do not know as yet what amount will suffice, but
let us begin prudently, for in that course is wisdom. I suggest that
six doti be made up; two doti (eight yards) of Joho cloth for the King,
two doti of light checks for his wife, one doti of Muscat check with the
red and yellow borders for his eldest son, and one doti of good Kaniki
(blue cotton) for the principal elder."

"That idea seems excellent to me," said Sultan bin Ali, "and Amer, thou
hast a cunning slave called Moto, a Mrori, I believe; let him and
another good man take the cloths to the King with words of friendship
from us, that we may pass through the country in tranquillity and peace
with all men."

This advice meeting the approbation of all the chiefs, Moto, accompanied
by the kirangozi of Khamis bin Abdullah, who was learned in all the
languages of Eastern Central Africa, sallied out of the camp in the
direction of Kwikuru, while the Arabs sat in the tent of their leader,
hospitably entertained with the beet that the larder could furnish.

An hour had barely elapsed before Moto and the kirangozi, or guide,
returned to the camp; and going directly to the principal tent, kneeled
before the door and said to the Arabs:

"Salaam Aleikum!" (Peace be unto you.) To which greeting the Arabs
responded with one voice:

"Aleikum Salaam!" (And unto you be peace.)

"Well, Moto, speak," said Khamis. "Why, you have brought the present
back! You have been unsuccessful?"

"These are the King's words, which he commanded me to tell you: `Why
have you come to my country? Know you not that there is enmity between
the Warori and the children of the Arabs? Mostana, the great chief whom
the cru