It was quite evident that his opening sentences were listened to impassively.
Then, all at once, the natives began to gesticulate furiously and to shake their heads.

Whereupon Britt pounded the palm of his left hand with an emphatic right fist, occasionally pointing over his shoulder with a stubborn thumb.

At last, the argument dwindled down to a force of two--Britt and a tall, sallow Mohammedan.

For two minutes they harangued each other and then the native gave up in despair.

The lawyer waved a triumphant hand to his friends and then climbed into one of the litters, to be borne off in the direction of the town.
"He'll have the servants back at work before two o'clock," said Browne calmly.