Quite apart from the satisfaction I derived from knowing I had saved these children from a terrible death, I was looked upon as a kind of prospective father-in-law on a gigantic scale, and young men came from all parts to treat with me for wives.
As I have said before, my regular reception days were held at the new moon.
My visitors, as well as my own people, gradually grew to have quite a reverence for the Bible; but I am afraid it was not on account of the sacredness of the book, but rather owing to the wonderful things it contained, and which were interpreted by me in such a way as would appeal directly to the primitive minds of these people.
Oftentimes I made mistakes.

For instance, what seemed to interest them enormously was the story of how Moses struck the rock and obtained a miraculous supply of water.

Anything in the way of fresh water procured in the desert interested them keenly.

Only, unfortunately, they floored me by asking me to accomplish a similar miracle! Another Bible story which brought me some discomfiture was about Balaam and his ass.

Now, when I decided to tell the story of Balaam, I knew from experience that if I mentioned an "ass," that animal would require all kinds of tedious explanation, which would probably result in needless mystification and consequent suspicion; so I boldly plunged into the story of _Balaam and his_ KANGAROO! But what staggered the blacks altogether was that Balaam's kangaroo should be able to speak.