e eggs, brought in by natives for sake of the bounty of a few
copper coins the hundred--a cock-fight in one corner--the carrying to
and fro of bunches of bananas, meat, and grain in baskets; and in and
out among it all full pelt in the hot sun marched the chain-gang, doing
the township dirty work.

By and by Schubert emerged from the boma gate followed by natives
carrying a table and a soap-box. He set these under a limb of the
great baobab that faced the boma gate not far from the middle of the
square. I noticed then for the first time that a short hempen rope
hung suspended from the largest branch, with a noose in the end. The
noose was not more than two feet below the branch.

Schubert's consideration of the table's exact position, and the placing
of the soap-box on the table, was interrupted by the arrival of
Coutlass, his Greek companion and the Goanese arm in arm, followed
closely by two askaris who shouted angrily and made a great show of
trying to prevent them. One of the askaris aimed his rifle absurdly at
Coutlass, both Greeks and the Goanese daring him gleefully to pull the
trigger.

They purposely came close to us, not that we showed signs of meaning to
befriend them. They were simply unable to understand that there are
degrees of disgrace. To Coutlass all victims of government outrage
ought surely to be more than friendly with any one in conflict with the
law. Personal quarrels should go for nothing in face of the common
wrong.

"There is going to be a hanging!" Coutlass shouted to us. "They
thought we would remain quietly in camp with that going on! Give us
chairs!" he called to Schubert. "Provide us a place in the front row
where we may see!"

Schubert grinned. He returned to the boma yard and presumably
conferred with an officer, for presently he came out again and gave the
Greeks leave to stand under the tree, provided they would return to
camp afterward. Later yet, Brown came along and joined us on the
steps, looking red-eyed and ridiculous.

"Goin' to be a hangin," he announced. "I been askin' natives about it.
Black man stole the condemned man's daughter an' refused to pay cows
for her accordin' to custom or anythin'--said he could do what the
white men did an' help himself. Father of the girl took a spear and
settled the thief's hash with it--ran him through--did a clean job.
Serve him right--eh--what? Germans went an' nabbed him, though--tried
him in open court--goin' to hang