."
"Yes, that is true," said Katalambula. "Those cruel people make clean
work of it when they fight, but I--"
"Were they all made prisoners?" asked the boy chief, in a curious tone.
"All, except one, and--"
"And his name was--?"
"Kalulu!" replied Moto, in a clear tone.
Again rose a murmur of astonishment from all sides, but, apparently
heedless that he had said anything very strange, Moto continued:
"Yes, Kalulu, the son of Mostana, was standing by his father's side,
when Kisesa, observing him, said he would give fifty pieces of cloth to
whoever would take him alive. On hearing that, my soul felt a feeling
of pity for him, as you must remember I was a Mrori; and, though I liked
the Arabs, I could not kill my own people at their bidding, nor did I
like to see such a brave boy as Mostana's son in danger of being made a
slave by Kisesa. So, on hearing the offer made by Kisesa, I snatched up
a shield and rushed forward to whisper to him to follow me, but the boy
thought probably that I was about to kill him, as he put a spear clean
through my shield and pinned my arm to it."
A loud cry of admiration greeted this, while the boy already advanced
nearer to Moto and regarded him affectionately; but Moto heeded nothing
of this, but continued:
"Seeing me still advance, the boy sprang back just as his father fell
dead by a bullet from some gun behind me. I hastened after the boy, saw
him look cautiously around, and spring over the palisade; but I was
right behind him; and when he was a little distance off in the forest I
chased him at my best speed, and soon came up to him. I explained to
him who I was, and why I chased him, and told him I was his friend; upon
which he told me that he was going to his uncle, a great king in Ututa,
and that if ever we met again he would be my friend."
As Moto finished this part of his story, the boy chief sprang forward
and embraced Moto, saying:
"Dost thou not know me? I am Kalulu! And thou art my friend Moto! I
shall keep my promise, and the King must thank thee," said Kalulu, as he
drew Moto forward towards Katalambula.
As they heard these words from Kalulu, the chiefs and elders clapped
their hands, and saluted Moto, while the King took hold of Moto's right
hand and said:
"Kalulu has told me the story which related how the Kirori slave would
not take him when he might have done so; and though I never expected to
see the man, I promised him that if any of my
|