There were plenty of people about, but no one seemed to take notice of
their approach, till suddenly the firing of guns made all start and
halt, so as to be prepared for attack.

The General, however, warned Mr Rogers that it was only friendly
firing, for the king was evidently coming to meet them; and directly
after there was a little procession seen to be on the way.

Under these circumstances Mr Rogers drew up his little force, every one
being well armed, and with the horses that were not mounted held by the
head.

Then they waited.

"Don't laugh, my boys," said Mr Rogers, as the procession drew nearer.
"He is a ruler over his people, so deserves respect. If you ridicule
what will no doubt seem very absurd, we shall make an enemy instead of a
friend."

"We'll try and behave rightly, father," said Dick quietly; and so both
he and his brother did, but it was hard work.

His Majesty King Moseti, had evidently determined to impress the white
men with a sense of his greatness; so he came attended by his band and
body-guard, while he himself wore his regal robes, which consisted of an
ordinary English Oxford-cut blue coat and waistcoat, with white flannel
cricketing trousers, and a straw hat. He had on patent leather boots,
and carried a handsome ebony walking-stick; but his majesty, probably on
account of the heat of the climate, wore no shirt. He had, however, a
couple of rows of common glass beads round his neck, walked with his
left-hand in his pocket, and stared about him as if the visitors were
not of the slightest consequence, so that his appearance was
sufficiently imposing.

"Jist look at 'em now," said Dinny; "call themselves men, and to go
about like that, widout a bit o' rag to their backs, and only a scrap of
a skin apron hanging before and behind. Oh, go along now wid ye, ye
ought to be ashamed of yourselves."

"Hold your tongue, Dinny," cried Mr Rogers.

"Certainly, sor," said Dinny. "An' murther, hark at the music. Hadn't
I better go and take the gun away from that naygur as keeps letting it
off, sor? He'll be shuting some one directly."

"Well yes, Dinny," said his master, to Dinny's great astonishment; "go
and take away his gun. We'll go on. Do you hear?"

"Shure, sor, he mightn't like it if I did," said Dinny.

"Then stop where you are, and don't brag," said Mr Rogers sharply.

"Hark at that now," muttered Dinny.

Meanwhile the king and his court was approaching, with one of the