comprehended her speech. I now
ventured to address her myself. I spoke slowly and distinctly; and,
after a little, she began to understand much of what I said, as, too,
did her headmen and counsellors. I explained that I was a subject of a
great white Queen, dwelling far across some mighty waters; that I had
heard of another white Queen, and had travelled far to pay her my
respects, and to enter upon terms of goodwill and friendship with her
and her tribe.

"My words seemed to give satisfaction. Mapana spoke in an aside with
some of the older men about her, and then addressed me. She told me
that she was of white descent herself--at a remote distance of time--
that the blood had always been cherished in her tribe, and that she and
her counsellors were glad to receive me. She directed me to be lodged
in a new hut just outside her _kotla_, and intimated that she would be
pleased to receive me later in the day. Meanwhile food and water, and
whatever else we required, should be placed at my disposal. A guard of
a couple of armed men was told off to keep away intrusive or too curious
tribespeople from our quarters.

"We killed a sheep, and enjoyed a square meal; after which I went,
surrounded by a concourse of interested natives, to a stream close by,
where I had a good wash, combed out my hair and beard, and made myself
presentable for the next interview with the fascinating Mapana. For the
rest of the afternoon we sat resting, and luxuriated in a quiet smoke.

"At about four o'clock a young headman came with a message that Mapana
wished to see me again. He seemed by no means pleased with his errand,
and preceded me with a very unprepossessing scowl upon his face. The
Queen was now only attended by a few of her women. I sat down near her;
my conductor stood leaning upon his assegai.

"`Seleni,' said Mapana, looking at him, `I wish to speak with the white
man alone; you can leave me.'

"`Queen,' answered the young man, not too civilly, I thought, `this man
is a stranger. Who knows his heart? He may cherish mischief. I stay
to guard the Queen from danger.'

"Mapana flushed a little. It was pretty to see the colour run under the
clear brunette of her skin. `There is no danger,' she said, with some
asperity. `Go, till I call for you.'

"Making an obeisance, Seleni, much against his will, stalked out of the
_kotla_.

"Mapana turned to me. `Seleni is a kinsman of mine,' she said, `and he
presumes upo