There was a breathless suspense as the chief lifted up his hands,
touched my face, and felt my mustache and whiskers. The hair was perhaps
the strangest feature of my whole head, since there is nothing on their
human or animal species that resembles hair.

The chief then called for a certain professor who was an expert in
zoology. This intelligent man quickly came to my side and, at the
request of the chief, commenced to examine me carefully.

My manner of breathing confused him most of all. He watched my chest
rising and falling and my sides increasing and decreasing with every
breath, until he was mystified beyond all power of explanation.

When the dignitaries saw that I could be touched with safety, numerous
messages were flying to the chief, each one asking for the privilege of
a closer inspection of me.

The presiding officer was cool-headed and firmly followed his own cause.
He waited until the professor had finished his examination and was
prepared to report, whereupon he announced to the bewildered audience
that heed should now be given to the conclusion of the zoologist.

The professor mounted a throne-like elevation from which all expert
opinion is submitted. A painful silence ensued as this learned man
proceeded with his report.

Of course I pretended that I could not understand their language and
that I was oblivious to all these occurrences, but you may be assured
that I was careful not to miss a word that fell from the lips of this
noted specialist who conducted himself with a dignity both pleasing and