100 DAHLAK 



'But you speak Italian well.' 



*Learnt at school from the Fathers. Speak Amarian and a 

 little Arabian. Then some Tigran and some Dankalian. We 

 have hundred languages and thousand races. I know write 

 and read, do sums and know the prayers. I know also the 

 books of Solomon.' 



* Which Solomon?' 



'King Solomon. Our first father, our king.' 



'And what's written in his books ?' 



*Oh, many things. Had aeroplanes and made a tunnel 

 with golden pavement from Jerusalem to Axum under the 

 Red Sea.' 



'My! And is the tunnel still there?' 



'Sure it is.' 



'Have you seen it ?' 



'Not me, but lot of people seen it.' 



'And have they taken the gold ?' 



'Not that.' 



'Why not?' 



'Because who goes in tunnel dies.' 



'How's that?' 



'Dunno.' 



We looked at his face. He was a likeable fellow. 



'But w^hy have you come here?' Cecco asked. 'Do you 

 want something?' 



'No. Me no want nuthin'. Come to make call.' 



'You are very kind. A cigarette ?' 



'Oh, thanks.' 



'How old are you ?' 



'Twenty-four. Time to get married.' 



'That's right. Are you engaged ?' 



'Ho — you kidding ? Been with harlot woman until yester- 

 day, then sorry and kalàs, go off. I asked boss to send me here 



