impressive savage stepped forward

The first ranks were now fairly at the outskirts of camp; the last had but just left the woods. The plains were literally covered with spearmen. A magnificent sight! They came to a halt, raised their spears horizontally above their heads; the horns and drums redoubled their din; a mighty, concerted shout rent the air. Then abruptly fell dead silence. From the front rank a tall, impressive savage stepped forward, pacing with dignified stride. He walked directly to Kingozi's chair. "_Jambo, bwana!_" He uttered his greeting in deep chest tones that rumbled like distant thunder. "_Jambo, n'ympara_," responded Kingozi in a mild tone. By his use of the word _n'ympara_--headman--he indicated his perfect understanding of the fact that this man, for all his magnificence, for all the strength of his escort, was not M'tela himself, but only one of M'tela's ministers. "_Jambo, bwana m'kubwa!_" rolled the latter. "_Jambo_" replied Kingozi. "_Jambo, bwana m'kubwa-sana!_" "_Jambo_." "_Jambo, bwana m'kubwa-sana!_" "_Jambo_." Having thus climbed by easy steps to the superlative greeting, the minister uttered his real message. As befitted his undoubted position in court, he spoke excellent Swahili. "I am come to take you to the _manyatta_ of M'tela," he announced. "That is well," replied Kingozi calmly. "In one hour we shall go." Chapter 25 M'tela They set off through the beautiful country in their usual order of march. The warriors of M'tela accompanied them, walking ahead, behind, and on either flank. The drums roared incessantly, the trumpets of horn sounded. It was a triumphal procession, but rather awe-inspiring. The safari men did their best to imitate Kingozi's attitude of indifference; and succeeded fairly well, but their eyes rolled in their heads.