"What do they say?" asked Colonel James.
"They say that they did not know it was possible for people to kill
themselves. I did not know it either. It is very strange."
"What limited intelligences they have!" exclaimed Sam.
"They say," continued Carlos, in a somewhat embarrassed manner, "that
if you are condemned to death, they wish one of you would kill himself,
so that they can see how it is done."
"There's a chance for you, Sam," said Cleary, but Sam did not seem to
see the joke.
"I am very sorry," said Carlos, seating himself nearer to Sam, "I am
very sorry that we may have to kill you, for I like you; but what can
we do? It is a rule of our tribe to kill prisoners of war."
"I really don't see what they can do, if that is the case," said Sam in
English. "If that is their law, and they have always done it, of course
from their point of view it is their military duty. I don't see any way
out of it. Do you?"
"It wouldn't break my heart if they failed to do their duty in this
case," said Cleary. "For heaven's sake, don't tell him what you think.
Let's keep him feeling agreeable by our conversation. He's fallen in
love with you, Sam. Perhaps he'll give you to one of his daughters and
she may marry you or eat you, whichever she pleases."
"I wish you wouldn't joke about these things," said Sam. "It's a
serious piece of business.
Pages:
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148