eed his grief and disappointment. But recovering
from this, he seemed determined not to credit my assertion, and grasping
his implements, he flourished them about in fearful vicinity to my face,
going through an imaginary performance of his art, and every moment
bursting into some admiring exclamation at the beauty of his designs.

Horrified at the bare thought of being rendered hideous for life if the
wretch were to execute his purpose upon me, I struggled to get away from
him, while Kory-Kory, turning traitor, stood by, and besought me to comply
with the outrageous request. On my reiterated refusals the excited artist
got half beside himself, and was overwhelmed with sorrow at losing so
noble an opportunity of distinguishing himself in his profession.

The idea of engrafting his tattooing upon my white skin filled him with
all a painter's enthusiasm: again and again he gazed into my countenance,
and every fresh glimpse seemed to add to the vehemence of his ambition.
Not knowing to what extremities he might proceed, and shuddering at the
ruin he might inflict upon my figurehead, I now endeavoured to draw off
his attention from it, and holding out my arm in a fit of desperation,
signed to him to commence operations. But he rejected the compromise
indignantly, and still continued his attack on my face, as though nothing
short of that would satisfy him. When his forefinger swept across my
features, in laying out the borders of those parallel bands which were to
encircle my countenance, the flesh fairly crawled upon my bones. At last,
half wild with terror and indignation, I succeeded in breaking away from
the three savages, and fled towards old Marheyo's house, pursued by the
indomitable artist, who ran after me, implements in hand. Kory-Kory,
however, at last interfered, and drew him off from the chase.

This incident opened my eyes to a new danger; and I now felt convinced
that in some luckless hour I should be disfigured in such a manner as
never more to have the _face_ to return to my countrymen, even should an
opportunity offer.

These apprehensions were greatly increased by the desire which King Mehevi
and several of the inferior chiefs now manifested that I should be
tattooed. The pleasure of the king was first signified to me some three
days after my casual encounter with Karky the artist. Heavens! what
imprecations I showered upon that Karky. Doubtless he had plotted a
conspiracy against me and my countenance,