What it needs is the wisdom of the white man, such wisdom as yours,
Vernoon. If that were added to my magic, then the Asiki would grow great
again, seeing that they have in such plenty the gold which you have
shown me the white man loves. Yes, they would grow great and from coast
to coast the people should bow at the name of Bonsa and send him their
sons for sacrifice. Perhaps you will live to see that day, Vernoon.
Slave," she added, addressing Jeekie, "set the mask upon your lord's
head, for we come where women are."
Alan objected, but she stamped her foot and said it must be so, having
once worn Little Bonsa, as her people told her he had done, his naked
face might not be seen. So Alan submitted to the hideous head-dress and
they entered the Asika's house by some back entrance.
It was a place with many rooms in it, but they were all remarkable for
extreme simplicity. With a single exception no gilding or gold was to
be seen, although the food vessels were made of this material here as
everywhere. The chambers, including those in which the Asika lived and
slept, were panelled, or rather boarded with cedar wood that was almost
black with age, and their scanty furniture was mostly made of ebony.
Pages:
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251