----------------

"Remove these people, please!" he said in English, and then repeated it
in Kiswahili.

The askari eyed us, shifted his bare feet uncomfortably, screwed up his
courage, tried to look stern, and said something in his own tongue.

"Put them out, I said!" said the Goanese.

"He orders you to put us out!" grinned Fred.

"The office closes at three," said the Goanese, glancing at the clock
in a half-hearted effort to moderate his own daring.

"Not unless the collector comes and closes it himself, it doesn't!"
Fred announced with folded arms.

Will pulled out two rupees and offered them to the sentry.

"Go and bring us some food," he said. "We intend to stay in here until
your bwana makubwa* comes."

--------------
* Bwana makubwa, lit. big master, senior government officer.
--------------

The sentry refused the money, waving it aside with the air of a Caesar
declining a crown.