e does not take it off, because, Baas, the
image is Zikali himself, and Zikali is the image. They are one and the
same. Also it is the image of his father's father's father--or so he
says."

"That is an odd story," I said.

Then I told Hans as much as I thought advisable of how this horrid
little talisman came into my possession.

Hans nodded without showing any surprise.

"So we are going on a long journey," he said. "Well, I thought it was
time that we did something more than wander about these tame countries
selling blankets to stinking old women and so forth, Baas. Moreover,
Zikali does not wish that you should come to harm, doubtless because he
does wish to make use of you afterwards--oh! it's safe to talk now when
that spirit is away looking for another snake. What were you doing with
the Great Medicine, Baas, when the _'mamba_ attacked you?"

"Taking it off to throw it into the pool, Hans, as I do not like the
thing. I tried twice and each time the _immamba_ appeared."

"Of course it appeared, Baas, and what is more, if you had taken that
Medicine off and thrown it away _you_ would have disappeared, since the
_'mamba_ would have killed you. Zikali wanted to show you that, Baas,
and that is why he set the snake at you."

"You are a superstitious old fool, Hans."

"Yes, Baas, but my father knew all about that Great Medicine before me,
for he was a bit of a doctor, and so does every wizard and witch for a
thousand miles or more. I tell you, Baas, it is known by all though no
one ever talks about it, no, not even the king himself. Baas, speaking
to you, not with the voice of Hans the old drunkard, but with that of
the Predikant, your reverend father, who made so good a Christian of
me and who tells me to do so from up in Heaven where the hot fires are
which the wood feeds of itself, I beg you not to try to throw away the
Medicine again, or if you wish to do so, to leave me behind on this
journey. For you see, Baas, although I am now so good, almost like one
of those angels with the pretty goose's wings in the pictures, I feel
that I should like to grow a little better before I go to the Place of
Fires to make report to your reverend father, the Predikant."

Thinking of how horrified my dear father would be if he could hear all
this string of ridiculous nonsense and learn the result of his moral and
religious lessons on raw Hottentot material, I burst out laughing. But
Hans went on as gravely as a judge,