The Lamar register., 1919-10-22


dered he turned from her and began
calling out meaningless words: "Shil-
ling, Fivel Tin hatl Bathtub
Overcoati"
At each name, for names they were,
a native stepped forward. They were
all bright-faced youngsters, fourteen
or fifteen years of age. and their garb,
made up of clean cloth bound tightly
around slim hips and fallin-s to the
knees, and red fez with tassel in
tact, marked them as houseboys-
trusted pickaninnies who alone had
the right TO enter the white mans
quarters and were collectively his rec
ognized mouthpieces in conveying or
ders.
''Bathtub !" repeated the white man.
A youngster quickly saluted and
stepped out of the line, grinning from
ear to ear at being distinguished even
for moment above his fellows.
with jerk of his head toward An
drea the white man began to tnlk rap
idly. Bathtub's eyes rolled from his
face to Andrea's and back again. They
wiJened. they narrowed, and, each OF
the three times the white man said
"Kiboco" with peculiar emphasis.
they seemed to vince.
Andrea interrupted. what does
.Kiboco' mean, pleaseT
''It means q whip Of raw rhino
hide" said the man. "An implement
that draws blood with a whisper"
Andrea went white; her eyes blazed.
$50 you whip your servantsf she
said with curled lips.
81 have whipped a boy once" an
swered the man cooliy. ''They have
never forgotten" He turned to her.
This boy. Bathtub. is yours. II he
ever fails you shall thrash him with
In an inch OF his nine lives" BE dis
missed the boy with a nod.
Bathtub stepped before his mis-
tress. saluied, grinned the broadcast,
most friendly grin Andrea had ever
seen. and without waiting for the
smiling answer of her eyes was on
like an arrow.
So taken up was Andrea with watch
ing the white man as he issued rapid
fire of orders to his remaining lieu
tenants that when Bathtub returned.
saluted, and led her beneath the les
ser of the acacia trees she could not
believe her eyes. for they showed her
n canvas wash basin on stills. a clean
towel laid over the back of chair. an
other chair before a camp table laid
two sizzling fried eggs. hot toast, mar
malade. a pot of tea and an absurd
squat bottle with the stems of wild
flowers rnmmed down Its throat.
She took of her cloak and Bathtub
promptly hung II to air over a low
branch of the tree; then, while she
bathed her face and hands, he stood
| by with the towel. and when she was
through with that he drew her chair
for her and poured her tea. Children
began crowding around. He drove
them back. and. dragging his toe.
marked wide circle on I'M giVub.
with the table as center.
Up to that mark and no farther
came the children and sauatted in a
/ staring but silent ring. Andrea sat
down and gazed over their heads at
| the kraal In general and at the white
man In particular. for from him ra-
dated an activity incredible in COM
parison with the languor that had pre-
ceded 1t. Her eyes fell to the table
] and she realized two things: she was
unusually, marvelously hungry and
the table was set for one.
Doesn't your master eatr she
asked of Bathtub.
MY master makes ready Gaia for
| missis."
"What is 'caiaf"
Bathtub frowned in an effort to
catch up with a word that was on the
verge of escaping from his meager
vocabulary. "Housei' he suddenly eI-
ploded and grinned with satisfaction.
Andrea lowered the fork that was
half way to her mouth. makes ready
house-for mef' Her eyes mar
rowed. II will not need house. Tell
him.
Bathtub's grin broadened. Sorry.
| Missis." he said. Flaw like that; ev-
- z.,ss.s enc nut. every hut one tax"
Andrea stared at him open-mouthed
and then blushed furiously. ~ mean
that l will not stay here" she ex-
planned angrily. Tell your master l
wish to speak with him-at once.
Walt minute. You call him Msungo.