d done; they pulled my hair, pinched my ears and face, slapped me
on the back, made me run after water, to tend their goats, and bring
them back at night. Indeed, they nearly killed me, while Tifum laughed
as if he enjoyed it. I then thought it better to be very good, and do
my work quick, which, when Tifum saw, he took me away from them, and
made me work for him only; but he was all the time saying he would cut
my throat some day, and eat me--and he used to open his mouth so wide!
I think I could have jumped down into it, if I tried hard. I heard him
say often, too, how sorry he was he did not have one of the white
slaves--meaning Master Selim and Master Abdullah--the Pagan dog! for he
thought he could have been much more thought of by his people if he had
one of them. Then we heard, one day, that Katalambula was dead, and
Kalulu was king, which made Ferodia fearfully angry, and say how he
would chop up into little bits everybody who helped him; and the next
day, after plenty of talk, he took a great number of people with him,
and came towards Katalambula's. Tifum took me with him, and made me
carry his spears, and bag of rice, and a gourdful of water. I was
thinking all the time I would tell Simba and Moto what Ferodia was going
to do, if I could only get in; but at the village of the tribe of
Meroeni, Tifum left me behind, by orders of Ferodia, and I knew I could
not help you. The night it was all to take place I tried again, but I
could not; and in the morning we all left for Katalambula's, only to
find the warriors of Ferodia masters of the village. You know the rest.
I saw you all slaves, and I came very near crying when I saw it; but I
stopped it, for fear of Tifum. But all the time I was thinking, and
thinking how I could help you all, but I was afraid. Then that night in
the forest, after Soltali was burnt, I heard Tifum swear that in the
morning he would cut Kalulu's head off, and, whether Ferodia liked it or
not, he would then cut off Master Selim's head. I became angry then.
Yes, you may laugh; but my heart was black, and once or twice I looked
at Tifum's knife hungrily, and I thought how I should like to bury it in
his black neck; but no; I waited until after Tifum had eaten his supper,
and I heard him groan in pain, and I thought he would never stop; but he
did at last, and went asleep. Then I got up, with Tifum's knife in my
hand, and came to you, Master Selim. And now you know all that Niani
k