The words brought him to himself and to his need for definite knowledge.
"Winkleman read the labels on my bottles," he said sternly. "I have simply used the pilocarpin."
"The pilocarpin! But that was destroyed!"
So unmistakably genuine was her cry of amazement that Kingozi's heart leaped with joy. She had not known! He took a step toward the couch.
But at this moment a wild hullabaloo broke out in the camp. Men yelled and shouted. Some one began to blow a horn. There came the sound of many running to and fro. "Damn!" ejaculated Kingozi fervently; and ran out of the tent.
The whole camp was gathered about a number of M'tela's people, who were all talking at once. The din was something prodigious. Kingozi pushed his way rather angrily to the centre of disturbance.
"Here, what is this?" he demanded to know.
But a dead, astonished silence fell upon them all. They stared at him gaping.
"What is it?" repeated Kingozi impatiently.
"But _bwana!_" cried Cazi Moto. "You see!"
"That is a magic," replied Kingozi curtly. "Now what is all this _kalele_ about?"
"Bwana, these people say that messengers have come in telling of many white men and _askaris_ marching in this direction."
"From where? But that does not matter--are they _Inglishee_ or _Duyche?_"
"These _shenzis_ do not know the difference."
"Get my gun. Have Simba follow me. Here, you lead the way." They marched rapidly through the forest path and past the palace of M'tela, which Kingozi had never seen. The savage king came out, and Winkleman and his bodyguard soon followed.
"Oh, King," said Kingozi. "Now is the time to show to me that your friendship is true. As you know, other white men are coming, with warriors. I do not know yet whether these are _Inglishee_, who are my friends--and yours--or _Duyche_, who are my enemies. If they are _Duyche_ they must be attacked and killed or captured, for we are at war."
He watched M'tela carefully while he spoke, and felt satisfaction at what he saw.
"Have no fear, papa," replied M'tela easily. "I will cause the great drums to be beaten. My warriors are as the leaves of the grass; and these are few."
"Nevertheless they will kill many of yours," said Kingozi with great earnestness; "for they have guns that kill many times and at a long distance. When your warriors hear the great noise they make, and see the dead men, they will run." "You do not know the warriors of M'tela," replied the king with dignity. "Should the half of them fall, the other half will give these to the hyenas. Yes, even if they had the thunder itself as weapon!"