run away?" asked the King.

"Because he was a fool, and the son of a fool," responded Ferodia. "I
never saw such a stubborn ass; his mouth was full of words, but his back
had no work in it; therefore he preferred to die in the woods, as he
cannot live. Yet had he spirit enough for two warriors, and he would
have made a fine slave by-and-bye."

"Who art thou speaking of, Ferodia?" asked young Kalulu.

"Now, hold thy tongue, boy, and do not thou interfere with the affairs
of men; but rather see how good Ferodia, thy uncle, is to thee; he has
given thee that white slave for a playmate. Take him, cut loose his
bonds, and teach him to be a warrior."

"Nay, let Ferodia answer me," persisted Kalulu, "and I will then see
about the white slave. Who is he that has run away?"

"If thou must know," said Ferodia, looking on Kalulu kindly, "'twas a
young Arab slave, about thy age, who ran away. He was the son of a
chief, and I half suspect he was driven to run away by Tifum's
unkindness."

"Tifum Byah!" cried Kalulu; "no wonder he ran, Ferodia; Tifum has not a
gentle hand; but I will see thee again, uncle. I must look after my
white slave now, and teach him to eat first."

And Kalulu, leaving the King and Ferodia to pursue their examinations
into their property, turned to Abdullah with a curious look, and then,
taking his spear, he proceeded to cut the rope around his waist; then,
beckoning to the astonished Arab boy, he walked away towards his own
quarters, followed by him.

When he had Abdullah in his own apartment, all to himself, he again
turned to take a look at him, and silently surveyed him from head to
foot. Then, walking up to him, he stood with his back to Abdullah's,
and, putting his hand over his head, he seemed desirous of knowing
whether he was taller than him; and having satisfied himself, he turned
round to him again, and, smiling, said to him in Kituta--the language of
Ututa:

"Son of an Arab, canst thou speak Kituta? No? is that what thou meanest
by shaking thy head? Canst thou speak Kirori? No, again? Kibena,
perhaps? No? Canst thou speak Kinyamwezi? No? Then what language
dost thou talk? But, never mind, thy head must think of thy belly now;
I will go fetch thee some food. Sit down on this bullock-hide until I
return." And Kalulu vanished, having pointed to the hide on which he
desired Abdullah to seat himself.

[_Ki_ placed before Tuta means, the language of Tuta; _U_, the country
o