"'It is not to be borne indeed,' said Nala; 'but how can we make head
against so great a people?'

"'Ask of him--ask of Macumazahn, the wise white man,' said Maiwa,
pointing at me.

"'How can we overcome Wambe, Macumazahn the hunter?'

"'How does the jackal overreach the lion, Nala?'

"'By cleverness, Macumazahn.'

"'So shall you overcome Wambe, Nala.'

"At this moment an interruption occurred. A man entered and said that
messengers had arrived from Wambe.

"'What is their message?' asked Nala.

"'They come to ask that thy daughter Maiwa be sent back, and with her
the white hunter.'

"'How shall I make answer to this, Macumazahn?' said Nala, when the man
had withdrawn.

"'Thus shalt thou answer,' I said after reflection; 'say that the woman
shall be sent and I with her, and then bid the messengers be gone. Stay,
I will hide myself here in the hut that the men may not see me,' and I
did.