My bones were to be uncovered till the lash curled round my heart.

Then the jackals would have the rest of me.
This was ordinary Kaffir brag, and it made me angry.

But I thought it best to go cannily.
'If I am to be your slave,' I managed to say, 'it would be a pity to beat me so hard.

You would get no more work out of me.' 'Mwanga grinned wickedly.

'You are my slave for a day and a night.
After that we kill you--slowly.