But I confess that, speaking from a secular point of view, I have the strongest dislike to being cooked and eaten by these very disagreeable savages.

Still, I see no reason to suppose that we shall fall victims to their domestic customs." I, being in a depressed mood, was about to argue to the contrary, when Hans poked his head into the hut and said: "Dinner coming, Baas, very fine dinner!" So we went out into the garden where the tall, impassive ladies were arranging many wooden dishes on the ground.

Now the moon was clear of clouds, and by its brilliant light we examined their contents.

Some were cooked meat covered with a kind of sauce that made its nature indistinguishable.

As a matter of fact, I believe it was mutton, but--who could say?
Others were evidently of a vegetable nature.