Take off your clothes without any more bother, or she will be getting angry." "Let her get angry.

I shall do nothing of the sort--No, don't say that; say that English gentlemen--I mean pale-face medicine-men from over the seas, never undress in the presence of ladies; their religion forbids it." Gondocori was about to remonstrate again when the queen interposed and insisted on knowing what I said.

When she heard that I refused to obey her behest she turned purple with rage, and looked as if she would annihilate me.

Then her mood, or her mind, changing, she laughed loudly, at the same time pointing to the door and making an observation to the cacique.
Having meanwhile reflected that I was not in an English drawing-room, that this wretched woman could have me stripped whether I would or no, and that refusal to comply with her wishes might cost me my life, I asked Gondocori why the queen wanted me to undress.
"She wants to see whether your body is as hairy as your face (I had not shaved since I left Naperima), and your face as fair as your body." "Will it satisfy her if I meet her half-way--strip to the waist?
You can say that I never did as much for any woman before, and that I would not do it for the queen of my own country, whatever might be the consequence." The cacique interpreted my proposal, and Mamcuna smiled assent.

"The queen says, 'let it be as you say;' and she charges me to tell you that she is very much pleased to know that you will do for her what you would not do for any other woman." On that I took off my upper garments and Mamcuna, rising from her hammock, examined me as closely as a military surgeon examines a freshly caught recruit.