Still, if there are any of our councillors willing to visit your Motombo and your Kalubi and hear what they have to propose, taking the risk of whatever may happen to them there, I do not forbid it.

Now, O my Councillors, speak, not altogether, but one by one, and be swift, since to the first that speaks shall be given this honour." I think I never heard a denser silence than that which followed this invitation.

Each of the _indunas_ looked at his neighbour, but not one of them uttered a single word.
"What!" exclaimed Bausi, in affected surprise.

"Do none speak?
Well, well, you are lawyers and men of peace.

What says the great general, Babemba ?" "I say, O King, that I went once to Pongo-land when I was young, taken by the hair of my head, to leave an eye there and that I do not wish to visit it again walking on the soles of my feet." "It seems, O Komba, that since none of my people are willing to act as envoys, if there is to be talk of peace between us, the Motombo and the Kalubi must come here under safe conduct." "I have said that cannot be, O King." "If so, all is finished, O Komba.