Breakfast was prepared
by the women on the same ground where they had dined, and by eight
o'clock the expedition started, composed of some thirty warriors,
several of whom were laden with presents in the shape of baskets and
native cloth. When they neared the headquarters of the little invading
army, the three white men went ahead and informed the sentinels that it
was a peaceful embassy which followed them.
"You must leave me to tell the story of our exploit," Cleary had said,
and his friends were so well satisfied with his record as a talker that
they assented.
"General," said Cleary, as they entered his hut in the village, "we are
bringing in all the chiefs of the Moritos. They are ready to lay down
their arms and accept any terms. We have sworn friendship to them."
"How on earth have you managed it?" said the general.
"It is chiefly due to Captain Jinks, or, I should say, Major Jinks.
They were about to kill us when, by the sheer force of his glance
and his powers of speech, he actually cowed them, and they submitted
to him."
"I have heard of taming wild beasts that way," said the general, "but
I never quite believed it."
When the chiefs arrived they embraced every soldier they saw and showed
every sign of joy. The general ordered a feast to be spread for them
and addressed them in English. They did not understand a word of this
harangue, but seemed much affected.
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