u" and downright
terror before the elephant impeded their steps. The sight of Saba
startled them anew as they mistook him for a "wobo," that is, a big,
yellowish-brown leopard, which lives in that region as well as in
Southern Abyssinia, and whom the natives fear more than a lion, for it
prefers human flesh above all other, and with unheard-of daring attacks
even armed men. They quieted, however, seeing that the little obese
negro held the terrible "wobo" on a rope. But they were acquiring a
still greater idea of the power of the "Good Mzimu," as well as of the
white master, and, staring now at the elephant then at Saba, they
whispered to each other: "If they bewitched even the 'wobo' who in the
world can oppose them?" But the most solemn moment did not come until
Stas, turning to Nell, first bowed profoundly and afterwards drew aside
the curtain-like walls of the palanquin and exhibited to the eyes of
the crowd the "Good Mzimu." M'Rua and all the warriors fell on their
faces so that their bodies formed a long, living deck. Not one of them
dared to move, and fear prevailed in all hearts all the more when the
King, either at Stas' order or of his own volition, raised his trunk
and began to trumpet strongly; and after his example Saba emitted the
deepest bass of which he was capable. Then from all breasts issued,
resembling entreating groans, "Aka! Aka! Aka!" and this continued until
Kali again addressed them.

"Oh, M'Rua, and you, children of M'Rua! You have paid homage to the
'Good Mzimu'; therefore rise, gaze, and fill your eyes, for whoever
does that gains the blessing of the Great Spirit. Drive away, also,
fear from your breasts and bellies and know that wherever the 'Good
Mzimu' sojourns, human blood cannot be shed."

At these words, and particularly as a result of the announcement that
in the presence of the "Good Mzimu" no one can meet death, M'Rua rose,
and after him the other warriors, and began to gaze, bashfully but
eagerly at the kind divinity. Indeed, they would have to acknowledge,
if Kali again should ask them about it, that neither their fathers nor
they ever had beheld anything like it. For their eyes were accustomed
to monstrous figures of idols, made of wood and shaggy cocoanuts, and
now there appeared before them on an elephant's back a bright divinity,
gentle, sweet, and smiling, resembling a white bird, and at the same
time a white flower. So, too, their fears passed away, their breasts
breathed f