to the ground and destroyed, of a King himself who had been shot, of
vengeance very swift and very merciless. He closed his mouth with
a snap and sat up with drunken dignity. Oom Sam, in fear and
trembling, moved to his side.

"What they want?" the King asked.

Oom Sam spread out the document which Trent had handed him upon a
tree-stump, and explained. His Majesty nodded more affably. The
document reminded him of the pleasant fact that there were three
casks of rum to come to him every year. Besides, he rather liked
scratching his royal mark upon the smooth, white paper. He was
quite willing to repeat the performance, and took up the pen which
Sam handed him readily.

"Him white man just come," Oom Sam explained; "want see you do this."

His Majesty was flattered, and, with the air of one to whom the
signing of treaties and concessions is an everyday affair, affixed
a thick, black cross upon the spot indicated.

"That all right?" he asked Oom Sam.

Oom Sam bowed to the ground.

"Him want to know," he said, jerking his head towards Captain
Francis, "whether you know what means?"

His forefinger wandered aimlessly down the document. His Majesty's
reply was prompt and cheerful.