THE WILD MEN. 79 



began swaying his arms in such a peculiar way that the whites looked to Pongo for 

 an explanation. 



The friendly Bushman, however, said nothing, but, standing erect beside his 

 friends, looked fixedly at the chief, as if he was also at a loss to interpret the 

 gestures. 



" I believe he wants to hold a parley with us," remarked Mr. Godkin, lowering 

 his glass and looking also at Pongo, as if he meant him to understand that he must 

 give an opinion. 



" Yes, that is it," replied the native. 



"Why doesn't he speak?" 



" He don't know we understand him ; he don't know me Bushman, like him." 



"Call to him in your native tongue, and ask him what he wants." 



Pongo did so, to the evident astonishment of his fellow-countrymen, who had no 

 suspicion that any member of the company could talk by means of words with them. 



Pongo was right; the leader of the Bushmen desired to hold converse, though it 

 is hard to guess how he expected it to be done without an interpreter. 



"Let him say what he has to say," remarked Mr. Godkin. 



" He asks me to go out, so that me and him talk alone." 



"You don't think of running such a risk, Pongo?" asked the director. 



" Yes, me do it," was the startling reply. 



