When they
were seated, he made a speech of welcome, saying what gladness it
was to him to see there those who had been so kind to him. Had he
known when they would arrive, food would have been ready for them;
and he assured them that, however long they might stay, they would
be most heartily welcome, and that there should be no lack of
provisions. They had done an immense service to him, and to all
the other chiefs on the river, by breaking up the power of one
who preyed upon all his neighbors, and was a scourge to trade. As
there were still several bottles of the rajah's wine left, champagne
was now handed round.
"It makes my heart glad to see you, Doctor," the chief said. "See,
I am as strong and as well as ever. Had it not been for you, my
arm might now have been useless, and my ribs have grown through
the flesh."
"I don't think it would have been as bad as that," the doctor
replied: "but there is no doubt that it was fortunate that you were
able to receive surgical treatment so soon after the accident. And
it has been fortunate for us, too, especially for our young friends
here."
Conversation became general now, and the interpreter was kept hard
at work, and Bahi divided her attention between the officers and
the men, flitting in and out of the hall, and chattering away to
the sailors and marines who were breakfasting outside on the stores
they had brought up, supplemented by a bountiful supply of fruit,
which grew in abundance round the village.
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