his critical moment, employ
English and idiomatic English, "that since the last moon was young I
have lain in my hut never moving, seeing nothing and hearing nothing,
being like a dead man--all this my headman will testify."

Bones's face dropped, for he had hoped to secure information here.
Bosambo, watching his face through half-closed lids, saw the dismal
droop of the other's mouth, and came to the conclusion that whatever
might be the cause of the visit, it was not to hold the Ochori or their
chief to account for known misdeeds.

"O Bosambo," said Bones, in the river dialect, "this is sad news, for I
desire that you shall tell me certain things for which Sandi would have
given you salt and rods."

The Chief of the Ochori sat up in his litter and went so far as to put
one foot to the ground.

"Lord," said he heartily, "the sound of your lovely voice brings me from
the grave and gives me strength. Ask, O Bonesi, for you are my father
and my mother; and though I saw and heard nothing, yet in my sickness I
had wonderful visions and all things were made visible--that I declare
to you, Bonesi, before all men."

"Don't call me 'Bonesi,'" said Bones fiercely. "You're a jolly cheeky
feller, Bosambo--you're very, very naughty, indeed!"

"Master," said Bosambo humbly, "though I rule these Ochori I am a
foreigner in this land; in the tongue of my own people, Bonesi means
'he-who-is-noble-in-face-and-a-giver-of-justice.'"

"That's better," nodded the gratified Bones, and went on speaking in the
dialect. "You shall help me in this--it touches the people of the Inner
N'gombi----"

Bosambo fell back wearily on to the litter, and rolled his eyes as one
in pain.

"This is a sorrow for me, Bo--Tibbetti," he said faintly, "but I am a
sick man."

"Also," continued Bones, "of a certain box of wood, full of poisons----"

As well as he could Bones explained the peculiar properties of germ
culture.

"Oh, ko!" said Bosambo, closing his eyes, and was to all appearances
beyond human aid.

* * * * *

"Lord," said Bosambo, at parting, "you have brought me to life, and
every man of every tribe shall know that you are a great healer. To all
the far and quiet places of the forest I will send my young men who will
cry you aloud as a most wonderful doctor."

"Not at all," murmured Bones modestly, "not at all."

"Master," said Bosambo, this time in English, for he was not to be
outdone in the matter