to let the negroes know that, as I have no desire to go
under a false flag, as my friend Peterkin would say--"

"Go under a false flag!" exclaimed Peterkin, in contempt. "Sail under
false colours, man! That's what you should have said. Whatever you do,
Ralph, never misquote a man. Go under a false flag! ha, ha! Why, you
might just as well have said, `progress beneath assumed bunting.'"

"Well, accidental or otherwise," said the trader, "you've got credit for
the deed, and your fame will be spread among the tribe whether you will
or not; for these fellows are such incorrigible liars themselves that
they will never believe you if you tell them the shot was accidental.
They will only give you credit for some strange though unknown motive in
telling such a falsehood."

While the trader was speaking I observed that the negroes were talking
with the eager looks and gesticulations that are peculiar to the
Africans when excited, and presently two or three of them came forward
and asked several questions, while their eyes sparkled eagerly and their
black faces shone with animation as they pointed into the woods in the
direction whence we had come.

"They want to know where you have left the carcass of the leopard, and
if you have taken away the brains," said the trader, turning to me. "I
daresay you know--if not you'll soon come to find out--that all the
nigger tribes in Africa are sunk in gross and cruel superstitions. They
have more fetishes, and greegrees, and amulets, and wooden gods, and
charms, than they know what to do with, and have surrounded themselves
with spiritual mysteries that neither themselves nor anybody else can
understand. Among other things, they attach a very high value to the
brains of the leopard, because they imagine that he who possesses them
will be rendered extraordinarily bold and successful in hunting. These
fellows are in hopes that, being ignorant of the value of leopard
brains, you have left them in the carcass, and are burning with anxiety
to be off after them."

"Poor creatures!" said I, "they are heartily welcome to the brains; and
the carcass lies not more than four hours' march from this spot, I
should think,--Is it not so, Jack?"

My friend nodded assent, and the trader, turning to the expectant crowd
of natives, gave them the information they desired. No sooner had he
finished than with loud cries they turned and darted away, tossing their
arms wildly in the air, and looki